Synthesis of aluminium based bulk materials from micro and nano particles using back pressure equal channel angular consolidation

Abstract

An innovative process for synthesising bulk materials using particles has been developed. The process is termed back pressure equal channel angular consolidation (BP-ECAC). Aluminium based materials were successfully consolidated into bulk materials using particles from nano to micro scales. BP-ECAC allowed the particles to be used directly without pre-compacting and casing and the processing temperatures to be significantly lower than those used in conventional sintering. Fully dense bulk samples were obtained instantaneously as the particles were forced to pass the shearing zone under pressure. Nanostructured materials were obtained from the nanometre-sized A1 particles. Significant streng..