A Statistical Method to Predict the Hardness and Grain Size After Equal Channel Angular Pressing of AA-6063 with Intermediate Annealing

Fine-grained metals and alloys with a homogeneous microstructure can be produced in bulk quantities using the equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) technique. In the ECAP process, improvements in desired properties and grain refinement depend on die geometry, number of passes, strain per pass, plunger speed, friction conditions, processing temperature, etc. In the present study, Al-6063 alloy cylindrical samples are processed by ECAP varying three critical parameters: die channel angle, number of passes, and intermediate processing temperature. Optical microscopy, electron back scattered diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy techniques are used for observing grain size and refinement, deformation patterns, the formation of precipitates etc. The main consequence of the thermomechanical effect is a reduction in grain size from micro to nano is observed. This transformation makes the material better, which shows outstanding promises on ECAP results. The developed material can be highly applicable in research as well as in the automotive industry.