Microhardness and Corrosion Resistance of AA1370 Aluminum Wire after Three ECAP-120° Passes

This study contributes to exploring the impact of grain refinement and intermetallic particle fragmentation resulting from the Equal Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP) processing of AA1370 aluminum alloy wire. The samples underwent progressive deformation to three passes in the ECAP, with an intersection angle of Φ=120° and a curvature radius of Ψ=0°, following route A, at room temperature. Microstructural analysis was carried out using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) before and after ECAP deformation. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was conducted to examine texture and morphology. Corrosion behavior was assessed using open circuit potential (OCP) and polarization techniques before and after ECAP. Penetration resistance was studied using a microhardness tester. The results of the study indicate that intermetallic particle fragmentation and reduction in crystallite size are observed as early as the first pass. However, microhardness only increased after the third pass. Additionally, deformation caused by the ECAP process results in an increase in OCP values and shifts the corrosion potential towards less negative values.