An investigation of microstructure and mechanical properties during ECAE of commercially pure aluminum

In the present paper commercially pure Al billets were processed by equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE) up to 8 passes via route BC at room temperature. Electron back scattered diffraction (EBSD) were used to evaluate the microstructure of the aluminum. Moreover, the mechanical properties of the processed billets were investigated by tensile and hardness tests. The microstructural and microhardness analyses at various locations of the billet thickness, from the top to bottom surfaces, revealed a significant improvement in homogeneity by increasing the number of passes. It was also found that the yield strength and average microhardness of aluminum is increased significantly up to four passes and then it is decreased when more passes are applied.