New approaches to optimize strain behavior of Al6082 during equal channel angular pressing

Equal channel angular pressing is one of the attractive methods of severe plastic deformation techniques to fabricate ultrafine grained materials. In this study, eight different equal channel angular pressing configurations including the punch shape, sample preform and die geometry have been analyzed using finite element method to achieve materials with the high effective strain magnitude, better strain distribution uniformity and less required pressing force. The results show that the combination of punch shape and back slant specimen is the most efficient modification as compared to the conventional equal channel angular pressing process. Furthermore, investigations on various die channel and sample slant angles indicate that the configuration of punch shape and back slant sample with the die channel angle of 75° and sample slant angle of 30° is the optimum condition. Finally, experimental work has been performed to validate the results.