ECAP of commercially pure titanium: A review

Equal Channel Angular Extrusion (ECAE) also called as Equal Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP) is an emerging mechanical or thermo mechanical method for synthesis of bulk ultra fine grained or nano materials. The uniqueness of ECAP is that the fine grains are obtained without changing any of the dimensions of the sample. The grain refinement increases the strength of CP-Ti to the strength levels of Ti-6Al-4V, a commonly used material for bio implants. Though Ti-6Al-4V alloys satisfy the biomedical requirements, the Al and V are toxic to human tissue. ECAP is an attracting technique for strengthening commercially pure titanium (CP-Ti) to a level of Ti-6Al-4V since CP-Ti has better compatibility for bio medical applications. Hence, the research is focused on ECAP of CPTi. This overview mainly focuses on the mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, wear resistance, fatigue resistance and the influence of external and internal parameters on the properties of ECAPed CP-Ti. It also highlights the methods employed for increasing the deformability of CP-Ti. Finally, the suitability of ECAP for industrial production is also discussed. The state of the art in this field is encouraging and showing positive signs of commercializing ECAP of CP-Ti in the near future.