In this study, bottom-up type powder processing and top-down type SPD (severe plastic deformation) approaches were combined in order to achieve full density of Carbon nanotube (CNT)/metal matrix composites with superior mechanical properties by improved particle bonding and least grain growth, which were considered as a bottle neck of the bottom-up method using the conventional powder metallurgy of compaction and sintering. ECAP (equal channel angular pressing), the most promising method in SPD, was used for the CNT/Cu powder consolidation. The powder ECAP processing with 1, 2, 4 and 8 route C passes was conducted at room temperature.

In this study, bottom-up type powder processing and top-down type SPD (severe plastic deformation) approaches were combined in order to achieve both full density and grain refinement of metallic powders with least grain growth. ECAP (Equal channel angular pressing) was used for the powder consolidation. We investigated the consolidation, plastic deformation and microstructure evolution behavior of the metallic powders during ECAP using an experimental method. It was found that high mechanical strength could be achieved effectively as a result of the well bonded powder contact surface during ECAP process of gas atomized Al-Si powders.

The effect of grain refinement of the strength and ductility of metallic materials is investigated. A model in which a single phase material is considered as an effectively two-phase one is discussed. A distinctive feature of the model is that grain boundaries are treated as a separate phase deforming by a diffusion mechanism. Deformation of the grain interior phase is assumed to be carried by two concurrent mechanism. Deformation of the grain interior phase is assumed to be carried by two concurrent mechanisms: dislocation glide and mass transfer by diffusion. The model was exemplified by simulating uniaxial tensile deformation of Cu down to the nanometer grain size. The results confirm the observed strain hardening behaviour and a trend for reduction of ductility with decreasing grain size at room temperature.