On the Effect of ECAP Processing Temperature on the Microstructure, Texture Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Commercial Pure Copper

In this study, the severe plastic deformation (SPD) behavior of commercial-grade pure copper processed using equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) was investigated. The copper rods were processed for up to 4 passes, both at room temperature and 200 ^oC. The microstructure and texture evolution were studied using a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) equipped with an electron back scattered (EBSD) detector. The effect of ECAP processing on the tensile properties, micro-hardness, and impact toughness was studied. After 1 pass, the average grain size of the rods was determined to be 2.694 and 3.9066 μm at room temperature and 200 ^oC, respectively. In addition, after 4 passes through ECAP, the strength of the ECAPed samples increased to 381 MPa, and 330 MPa at room temperature and 200 ^oC, respectively; and the Vickers’ micro-hardness at the peripheral areas increased to 158, and 126, respectively. In the other hand, the experimental