Extrusion upsetting multiple processing in sandglass die

A new method of getting ultrafine grain size has been investigated, which is called "Extrusion Upsetting Multiple Processing in Sandglass Die" or "Sandglass Extrusion" (SE). Since the shape of tested billet can remain unchanged after SE, the billet can be extruded repeatedly in order to get large plastic strain. The ultrafine grain size can be obtained in the billet material due to the large plastic strain and the dynamic recrystallization during SE. The experiments on SE of Zn-5% Al alloy have been done. The SE technology, microstructures, microhardness and superplasticity of tested material after SE have been studied. The experimental results show that the equal-axial ultrafine microstructures can be introduced to the bulk test material during sandglass extrusion. The high strain rate superplasticity can be realized.