Flow Properties of Cast Al-Zn-Mg Alloys Subjected to Equal Channel Angular Pressing

Abstract

Flow stress can be described as the stress necessary to continue deformation at any stage of plastic strain. The strength coefficient (K) and strain-hardening exponent (n) are the two important flow properties of the material. In the present work, flow properties of three different cast Al-Zn-Mg alloys processed by equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) were investigated. ECAP processing was carried out in a die having Φ = 120° and Ψ = 30°. After ECAP processing, significant grain refinement and increase in the hardness was observed. Compression test was used to determine the flow properties of ECAP processed samples. Force-stroke data was recorded from the compression test. Flow curves were drawn by using force-stroke data. Strength coefficient and strain-hardening exponent were determined from the log-log plot of true stress-strain curves. Significant increase in the strength coefficient was observed after ECAP processing. Also, the strength coefficient is increased when the zinc content is increased in the alloy. Strain-hardening exponent was decreased with increase in the number of ECAP passes. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.