The microstructure effect on the mechanical behaviour of copper single crystals subjected to equal channel angular pressing was discussed with the aim of clarifying the strengthening mechanisms affecting both monotonic strength and fatigue life. The essential role of lattice dislocation storage in cell structures was highlighted.

On the Role of Dislocation Hardening in the Monotonic and Cyclic Strength of Severely Plastically Deformed Metals. A.Vinogradov, M.Maruyama, S.Hashimoto: Scripta Materialia, 2009, 61[8], 817-20