Crystallographic Texture Evolution of Aluminum Samples with a Rectangular Cross-Section During Equal Channel Angular Pressing Processing

The evolution of the crystallographic texture after severe plastic deformation (SPD) of the aluminum alloy AA7075, commonly used in the aeronautical and automotive industries, depends on the parameters of the applied deformation process. In this paper, a combination between experimental ECAP processing and numerical simulation using the visco-plastic self-consistent methodology (VPSC) was carried out. The limitations in the homogeneity of the mechanical properties and texture of the parts processed via ECAP can be improved by an adequate choice of the processing route. According to the literature, the most effective route to increase the properties of this material is the Bc route. However, due to the two-fold symmetry along the extrusion axis, the Bc route cannot be used in the components under study. Because of this, it was decided to study C and modified C routes. The simulation results showed the characteristic fibers of the ECAP process measured through X-ray diffraction. The texture analysis shows that the most effective route to obtain a more homogenous shear deformation and therefore reduce the grain size is the Bc route, followed by the modified C route and finally the C route.