Deformation Mechanisms of Single Crystals and Bicrystals Subjected to Equal-Channel Angular Pressing - Review

The deformation mechanisms of various kinds of single crystals and bicrystals during the process of equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) have been paid more attention world wide. This paper reviews the recent progresses in the understanding of the deformation mechanisms of single crystals and bicrystals subjected to one-pass ECAP, and discusses the effect of initial crystallographic orientation and grain boundary on the microstructural evolution of these crystals. Based on those experimental results and analysis, it is suggested that in addition to the shear deformation along the intersection plane (IP) of ECAP die, the shear along the normal of IP also plays an important role in affecting the microstructural evolution and deformation mechanisms of these single crystals and bicrystals.