Work

Influence of ECAP deformation routes on grain refinement, mechanical properties and texture of zinc

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Zinc (Zn) has potential for applications such as bioresorbable implants but is held back by poor mechanical properties. Equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) enhances mechanical properties by refining the microstructures and can alter the crystallographic texture and deformation mechanisms. Here, ECAP of Zn under four standard deformation routes (RA, RBA, RBC and RC - refer to Figure 1 for details of pressing sequences) was investigated to assess impacts on the microstructure and mechanical properties. Four passes of ECAP reduced the average grain sizes by >50% compared to the starting material. Different ECAP deformation routes, which feature differing material strain paths, impacted on the microstructural refinement, including uniformity and crystallographic textures. Route A resulted in larger average grain sizes compared to other routes and significant variation of the grain sizes and hardness across the billet section. Route BC gave the most consistent grain refinement and strengthening, while route C had the best processability by allowing consistent preparation of crackfree ECAP Zn billets with smooth surface finishes. Contrastingly, route BA resulted in heavily cracked billets, while route A led to cracking at the tail of billets. Unique crystallographic texture was induced by each route with BA, BC and C exhibiting dominant basal textures, oriented differently in each case due to the differences in strain paths. Meanwhile, prismatic slip and compression twinning feature more prominently for billets pressed by route A, while basal slip was reduced. The study provides insights to enhance mechanical properties of Zn by ECAP and to influence crystallographic textures which can affect corrosion and biodegradation behaviours.

Source: Materials Science and Engineering A

DOI: 10.1016/j.msea.2025.149066

Authors: Kurt Mills, Hejie Li, Vladimir Luzin, Damon Kent

Institutions: University of the Sunshine Coast, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering, University of Newcastle Australia

Language: English

Topic: Microstructure and mechanical properties

Subfield: Materials Chemistry

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,430

Funders: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering, University of Queensland