Comparison of microstructures and mechanical properties of a Cu–Ag alloy processed using different severe plastic deformation modes

A Cu–8 wt.% Ag alloy was processed by equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP), dynamic plastic deformation (DPD) and high-pressure torsion (HPT) at room temperature, and the microstructures and mechanical properties were investigated. It is shown that the microstructures of the Cu–Ag alloy can be refined to different levels by these severe plastic deformation (SPD) modes with the smallest grains produced by HPT. The results provide a clear demonstration that the yield strength and microhardness are inter-related over a wide range of values.