Influence of outer arc angle on mechanical properties of pure copper in equal channel angular pressing

Abstract

Equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) is applied to pure copper (99.98%) at room temperature. The effects of ECAP passes and the outer arc angle of the die on the hardness (HBS) and tensile properties of processed copper are studied. Optical microscopy is used to examine the shear deformation characteristics. The results of tensile test suggest that the outer arc angle close to 22° is in favor of improving the ductility of ECAP-ed specimens. The effect of different outer arc angle on the tensile strength and hardness is very small beyond four ECAP passes. Two distinct stages representing different hardening characteristics were observed.