Deformation processing of sheet metals by continuous frictional angular extrusion

The feasibility of a novel continuous severe plastic deformation (SPD) technique, continuous frictional angular extrusion (CFAE), for producing ultra-fine grained strip material, has been studied. The CFAE technique takes advantage of facets of rolling and equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE) and is designed to produce bulk ultra-fine grained (UFG) metals with high productivity and low cost. A process setup was established through the modification of a standard rolling mill. CFAE processing of commercially pure aluminium AA1050 sheets was successfully carried out at room temperature, using a 120° die angle. A uniform UFG structure with an average grain size of -0.6μn was achieved after 10 CFAE passes, at an equivalent strain of - 6.6. Evolution of the deformation structure and texture during processing was examined as a function of strain and characterized using high resolution EBSD.