Title: A study on equal channel angular drawing (ECAD) of AA-1370 processed by route B

Authors: Javier Leon, Carmelo J. Luis, Rodrigo Luri, Ignacio Puertas

Addresses: Mechanical, Energetics and Materials Engineering Department, Public University of Navarre, Campus de Arrosadia s/n, 31006, Pamplona, Spain. ' Mechanical, Energetics and Materials Engineering Department, Public University of Navarre, Campus de Arrosadia s/n, 31006, Pamplona, Spain. ' Mechanical, Energetics and Materials Engineering Department, Public University of Navarre, Campus de Arrosadia s/n, 31006, Pamplona, Spain. ' Mechanical, Energetics and Materials Engineering Department, Public University of Navarre, Campus de Arrosadia s/n, 31006, Pamplona, Spain

Abstract: Equal channel angular drawing (ECAD) process is an innovative method for manufacturing high resistance wires. The aim of this process is to introduce plastic strain in the processed materials in order to obtain high resistance wires as a consequence of the strain-hardening behaviour. This process can be compared with traditional wire-drawing due to the similar profile of plastic strain achieved in the processed material. With both processes, more deformation is achieved at the perimeter of the wire than in the centre. Nevertheless, the main difference between both processes is that, for the same cross-section reduction, the ECAD process is able to produce more plastic strain in the material than that obtained by using wire-drawing processes. This study will show the distribution of total equivalent plastic strain in each of the four passages with route B that the material is going to undergo as well as in the final calibration passage. This will be calculated using the FEM software MSC Marc Mentat_TM. Furthermore, the drawing force obtained from FEM models will be compared to real ECAD experiments for the case of aluminium alloy AA-1370. Finally, the stress distribution inside the ECAD dies will be modelled using a three-dimensional meshing.

Keywords: equal channel angular drawing; ECAD dies; manufacturing processes; FEM; finite element method; high resistance wires; plastic strain; deformation; aluminium alloys; stress distribution.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMS.2010.036063

International Journal of Mechatronics and Manufacturing Systems, 2010 Vol.3 No.5/6, pp.368 - 379

Published online: 17 Oct 2010 *

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