Processing by equal-channel angular pressing: Potential for achieving superplasticity

Equal-channel angular (ECA) pressing is a processing procedure whereby a very severe plastic strain is imposed on a sample without any change in the cross-sectional dimensions of the material. This processing method leads to a substantial grain refinement, producing grains which are within the submicrometer or even the nanometer scale. This paper discusses the potential for using this method to prepare materials for superplasticity. The results demonstrate that it is possible to achieve superplastic deformation in selected materials subjected to ECA pressing and, in addition, there is the possibility of extending the superplastic region so that it occurs at very rapid strain rates.