Grain refinement in the equal channel angular pressing process: simulations using the crystal plasticity finite element method

Grain refinement due to severe plastic deformation is simulated using the crystal plasticity finite element method in the total Lagrangian setting. A rate-independent model with the regularized Schmid law is applied. As an example, a single pass of the equal channel angular pressing process is considered. Texture evolution, misorientation angle distributions and maps of new grains are presented. A special algorithm for tracking the creation of new grains in finite element simulations is developed. The results are analysed with respect to experimental data available in the literature. The possible mechanisms leading to the fragmentation of grains in a face centred cubic material are discussed. The influence of the quality of the microstructure representation on the simulation results is assessed. (paper)