Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 February 2011
Phase mixture models describing the mechanical properties of submicrometer grained metals are presented. In this approach, grain boundaries or cell walls are treated as a separate phase. Two cases are considered: the mechanical response of an ultrafine grained material and the process of grain refinement by equal channel angular pressing. Model predictions with regard to the evolution of the microstructure, strength and texture are verified for Cu.