Comprehensive study of effect of process parameters in equal channel angular pressing

Abstract

In present work, comprehensive study of equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) process is attempted for analyzing the influence of process parameters, viz., channel angle (<em>Φ</em>), the angle of curvature (<em>Ψ</em>), plunger velocity (<em>v</em>), processing routes (<em>R</em>), shear friction (<em>m</em>) at die and billet interface and the number of ECAP passes (<em>N</em>). This study will help to understand ECAP process with a better insight into influence of multiple process parameters and develop improved ECAP process with two objectives, i.e., (i) high and uniform distribution of equivalent strain in ECAPed billet and (ii) minimum pressing requirement during the process along with selection of best process parameters without committing to expensive tooling and machinery. ECAP study is performed on the AA6061 aluminum alloy. ECAPed billet is mechanically tested. The usefulness of experimental and FEM analysis in developing practical ECAP process is demonstrated in this paper. The outcome of this work certainly provides momentum in the commercialization of ECAP process.