The Role of Deformation Banding in Grain Refinement under ECAP

The mechanism of grain refinement in an Al-5.4Mg-0.4Mn-0.2Sc-0.09Zr alloy subjected to equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) at 300°C through route BC is considered. It was shown that the formation of geometrically necessary boundaries (GNB) aligned with a {111} plane at ε≤1 initiates the occurrence of continuous dynamic recrystallization (CDRX). Upon further strain the GNBs transform to low-to-moderate angle planar boundaries that produces lamellar structure. In the strain interval 2-4, 3D arrays of planar boundaries evolve due to inducing the formation of 2nd order and higher orders families of GNBs in new {111} planes. GNBs gradually convert to high-angle boundaries (HAB) with strain. A uniform recrystallized structure is produced at a true strain of ∼8. The role of slip concentration and shearing patterns in the formation of GNBs is discussed.