On the microstructure and texture of Cu-Cr-Zr alloy after severe plastic deformation by ECAP

Samples of a commercial Cu-1Cr-0.1Zr (wt.%) alloy were subjected to severe plastic deformation at room temperature using equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) up to 16 passes via route Bc. The microstructure and texture of the processed samples were analyzed through electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Most of the grains were more or less inclined in the direction of shearing (45 degrees from the extrusion direction) and substantially refined. The deformation structure evolved from elongated grains to a duplex equiaxed-elongated microstructure upon straining. The fraction of high angle boundaries gradually increased with the number of passes up to 70%. The texture after ECAP was mainly of ECAP shear type whose components shifted slightly from their ideal positions. A net strengthening and stabilization of the B/(B) over bar components were observed. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.