Severe plastic deformation of an as-cast hypoeutectic Al-Si alloy

The article of record as published may be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10853-008-2625-yDifferent equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) processing routes have been employed to investigate the flow plane microstructures in a hypoeutectic Al–7wt%Si. In the as-cast condition, this alloy exhibits equiaxed primary aluminum dendrite cells embedded in an Al–Si eutectic constituent. The observed microstructures have been compared to the predicted distortion of a volume element expected during idealized ECAP. The effect of different processing routes on the microstructure refinement, degree of homogenization of second phase particles, and associated mechanical properties are discussed.CICYTU.S. Air Force Office of Scientific ResearchU.S. National Research CouncilProgram MAT2003/01172 (CICYT)No. FIATA06058G001 (AFOSR