Towards bulk nanostructured materials in pure shear

• Production of bulk nanostructured materials in pure shear.
• A new severe plastic deformation (SPD technique).
• Capability of efficient grain refinement in two different aluminum alloys.

Pure shear extrusion (PSE) is introduced as a new technique for severe plastic deformation of metals and alloys. In PSE, a sample with square cross section deforms to a rhombic alongside the diagonals and then, reversed back to its initial shape. The efficiency of pure shear for grain refinement is demonstrated by investigating the microstructure of two aluminum alloys, i.e., AA1050 and AA6063, after PSE. Formation of nanosized cell structures is resolved in both alloys. The percentage of high angle boundaries is found to be greater for the case of AA6063 alloy when compared to AA1050.