Microstructure and Strain Hardening Behaviour of Iron Chromium Alloy Subjected by Severe Plastic Deformation

Microstructure and strain hardening behaviour of iron-chromium alloy subjected to severe plastic deformation (SPD) have been investigated in grain refinement and deformation routes. Equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) was used in this SPD technique due to their un-change dimension billet. The purpose of this research is to investigate the structure and the strain hardening of iron chromium alloy subjected by ECAP process. The ECAP process was carried by routes A, Bc and C up to four passes at 423 K temperature. The strength of the material was measured by tensile testing with 3 mm gauge length, and the strain hardening behaviour was investigated based on the true stress-strain curve. The effect of the deformation route on microstructure and texture was observed by electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) analysis at the normal, transverse and rolling direction. The result showed that route Bc showed the highest strength and ductility of the ECAP processed material compare to other routes due to their 90 degrees rotation of each ECAP passes number. The increased strength of materials was also associated with grain refinement and accumulation dislocation. It concluded that the ECAP process by route Bc could be used for further material treatment and application for industrial purposes