Ultrafine grained alloys produced by severe plastic deformation: issues on microstructural control andmechanical behaviour

A review is presented about recent results obtained on properties of ultrafine grained structural alloys and pure metals processed by severe plastic deformation. Carbon steels, aluminium alloys and pure nickel were investigated after processing by Equal Channel Angular Pressing. Data on microstructural evolution, aging kinetics, mechanical properties and recrystallization texture are discussed to draw a picture of advantages and drawbacks of such ultrafine materials