Studying grain fragmentation in ECAE by simulating simple shear

A crystal plasticity based finite element model is developed to simulate grain fragmentation during equal-channel angular extrusion (ECAE). Route C multiple passes are approximated by repetitive planar simple shears. Results are presented in terms of plastic strain distribution, texture and grain size evolution. Numerical results are found to be in qualitative agreement with experimental observations associated with the grain refinement in ECAE.