Abstract:
Four-pass equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) was performed on T2 pure copper by using the BC pathway (the specimen was rotated 90° in the same direction around its axis at each ECAP) at room temperature, the microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of the pure copper before and after ECAP deformation for different passes (one-pass, four-pass) were studied. The results show that after one-pass ECAP deformation, a large banded structure was formed in the pure copper, and the direction of the band was at 30°–45° to the direction of shear stresses. After four-pass ECAP deformation, the pure copper grains were broken and refined significantly, a large number of ultrafine-equiaxed grained structures appeared, and the average grain size was about 0.96 μm. The microhardness and tensile strength of the pure copper after four-pass ECAP deformation significantly increased by 43.8% and 51.5%, respectively. With the increase of ECAP pass, the solution resistance, charge transfer resistance and polarization resistance of the pure copper increased, the open circuit potential and self-corrosion potential increased, and the self-corrosion current density decreased, indicating the corrosion resistance was improved.