Abstract:Some applications of crystal plasticity modeling in equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE) of face-centered cubic metals were highlighted. The results show that such simulations can elucidate the dependency of grain refinement efficiency on processing route and the directionality of substructure development, which cannot be explained by theories that consider only the macroscopic deformation behavior. They can also capture satisfactorily the orientation stability and texture evolution under various processing conditions. It is demonstrated that crystal plasticity models are useful tools in exploring the crystallographic nature of grain deformation and associated behavior that are overlooked or sometimes erroneously interpreted by existing phenomenological theories.

Key words: severe plastic deformation; equal channel angular extrusion; texture; crystal plasticity; strain path; grain refinement