Modelling of equal channel angular pressing using a mesh-free

Severe plastic deformation (SPD) processes are widely recognised as efficient techniques to produce bulk ultrafine-grained materials. As a complement to experi- ments, computational modelling is extensively used to understand the deformation mechanisms of grain refine- ment induced by large strain loading conditions. Although considerable research has been undertaken in the modelling of SPD processes, most of the studies have been accom- plished using mesh-based methods, such as the finite ele- ment method (FEM). Mesh-based methods have inherent difficulties in modelling high-deformation processes because of the distortions in the mesh and the resultant inaccuracies and instabilities. As an alternative, a mesh- free method called smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) is used. The effectiveness of this technique is highlighted for modelling of one of the most popular SPD techniques, equal channel angular pressing. A benchmark between SPH and FE calculation is performed. Further- more, a number of simulations under different processing conditions are compared to existing literature data. A sat- isfactory agreement is found, which indicates that SPD processes can be approached by mesh-free methods, such as SPH.