Equal Channel Angular Extrusion and Its Application to Superconductors: Design, Mechanics and Characterization

Equal channel angular extrusion/pressing (ECAE/ECAP) is a well-known process technique for development of bulk ultrafine grained materials from pure metals, alloys, composites and polymers. However, little is known about the ECAE behaviour of intermetallics, which are poorly ductile and hard to deform. This book begins with a due introduction to ECAE on bulk materials and provides finite element analysis of ECAE and experimental validation to the modelling results. Subsequently it dwells on the ECAE processing of intermetallic superconducting powder filled in tubes, mechanics of ECAE processing of the heterogeneous specimens, and resultant microstructure and mechanical properties. Its potential in ultra-clean, low-energy, optimal compaction of superconducting intermetallic powders is demonstrated clearly. Thorough characterization for correlation and investigation of the micro and macrostructures of the deformed materials is also covered. The contents in the book are useful to engineers/scientists/researchers (academic/industry) in the fields of severe plastic deformation and superconductor materials.