Status and Prospects of Deformational Methods For Refining the Microstructure of Bulk Materials

The current interest in obtaining metals and alloys with an ultrafine-grained structure is due to the qualitatively new level of their mechanical properties. Since an ultrafine-grained structure is formed as a result of high-rate plastic deformation (HPD), this article presents several alternative definitions of HPD. Continuous HPD methods are the methods that are of practical interest. However, several unresolved scientific-technical, technological, and organizational problems are making it necessary to resort to fundamentally new approaches to developing deformation-based methods of refining microstructural components. This article presents examples of the best-known continuous deformational methods of refining the structural components of metals and alloys. On the other hand, it is also necessary to consider that certain bulk metals and alloys with an ultrafine-grained structure have properties that limit or prevent their practical use. The results obtained from an analysis are used to determine the main avenues being pursued in the development of deformational methods of refining structural components. It is particularly important to consider the use of mini-mills, which can create technological systems based on integrated and consolidated components of modular equipment.