Quantitative characterization of microstructure in copper processed by equal-channel angular pressing

Abstract

Experiments were conducted on extremely coarse-grained pure copper to evaluate the effect of equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) on microstructure evolution in the as-pressed state and after creep exposure using various stereological methods. The microstructure formed by severe plastic deformation is an unusual structure which can be hardly characterized only by the mean grain size especially after low number of ECAP passes. The purpose of this paper is a detailed examination of (sub)boundaries and grain boundaries in the microstructures of the pressed material. The inhomogeneity of deformed microstructures is also evaluated. The detailed description of ECAP microstructures should contribute to the better understanding of mechanical properties of the pressed materials.