Effect of processing routes on microstructure and mechanical properties of 2014 Al alloy processed by equal channel angular pressing

Al-Cu alloy was deformed through equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) by routes A, Ba, Bc and C up to 5 passes. ECAP was done using a 90° die for three different conditions, namely 1) as received, 2) solutionised at 768 K for 1 h and 3) solutionised at 768 K for 1 h + aged at 468 K for 5 h. The microstructure, microhardness and tensile strength were studied for all the three conditions and four routes. Significant improvement in hardness (HV 184 after five passes) and strength (602 MPa after three passes) was observed in solutionised and aged 2014 Al alloy deformed through route Bc. Microstructure evolution was reasonably equiaxed in route Bc with aspect ratio of 1.6. Solutionised and aged 2014 Al alloy deformed through route Bc was identified to have better microstructure and mechanical property than the other processing routes and conditions.