Improvement of Cu Mechanical Properties by Cyclic Extrusion and Expansion under Hydrostatic Pressure

Fine grain materials exhibit excellent mechanical properties and are widely used in various industries. One way to produce fine grain bar is by using the severe plastic deformation techniques. Cyclic extrusion and expansion of the sample is used as one of the methods of severe plastic deformation for production of fine-grained bars. As the length of piece increases, the friction force increases, so that the required force for shaping operation is increased to such an extent that the process cannot be performed. For solving this problem, the "Cyclic Extrusion and Expansion under Hydrostatic Pressure" is proposed as a new method of severe plastic deformation for production of long-length fine-grained bars. In this method, the forming operation was done by using a pressure oil, so the hydrostatic compressive stresses are applying to the material and improve the mechanical properties. Also, the results of simulation of finite elements of this method show the effect of friction coefficient on the forming force and independence of the forming force from the bar length due to the hydrostatic process. Therefor the process is capable of producing rods of long length and fine structure. Results of pure copper rebar underwent this process showing that the yield strength and final strength increased by 200% and 33%, respectively. Also, the sample hardness increased substantially by 120%, and the distribution of relatively homogeneous hardness in rebar diameter was obtained. The microstructure results showed a fine-grain after the process, with the grain size reduced to 8μm in center and 5μm in outer diameter.