MICROSTRUCTURE AND TEXTURE EVOLUTION DURING ECAP PROCESSING OF PURE MAGNESIUM

Equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) is a promising severe plastic deformation technique for grain refining in various bulk materials. In this paper, the magnesium (coarse grained polycrystals as well as single crystal) were subjected to ECAP at different temperatures. Microstructure and texture were investigated by light microscopy and scanning electron microscope equipped with electron backscattered diffraction camera (SEM?EBSD). The aim of the present work is to outline the microstructure and texture evolution of pure magnesium during severe plastic deformation by ECAP. A suitable temperature for ECAP processing is also discussed. Due to the relatively high processing temperatures (similar to 260 degrees C) and accumulation of plastic strain, recrystallization occurs during ECAP. Several twinning systems were active in deformed crystals. Texture observations show significant reorientation of the basal planes during ECAP processing.