The paper presents the results of tests concerning the effect of the extrusion process in the complex strain state on the microstructure and properties of one of magnesium alloy with aluminium, zinc and manganese, designated AZ61. Due to its specific gravity, it is increasingly being used in the automotive and aerospace industries to reduce the weight of structural elements. As a result of plastic deformation processes, rods with a diameter of 8, 6 and 4 mm were obtained from AZ61 magnesium alloy. The microstructure analysis was performed using light and electron microscopy (STEM) techniques in the initial state and after plastic deformation. Microstructure studies were supplemented with a quantitative analysis using the Metilo program. A number of stereological parameters were determined: average diameter of grain, shape factor. A static tensile test was carried out at 250ºC and 300ºC, at deformation rates of 0.01, 0.001 and 0.0001 m·s–1. Better plastic properties after deformation using KoBo method were obtained than with conventional extrusion.

In this article the structural and mechanical properties of grain refinement of Cu-Sn alloys with tin content of 10%, 15% and 20% using the KOBO method have been presented. The direct extrusion by KOBO (name from the combination of the first two letters of the names of its inventors – A. Korbel and W. Bochniak) method employs, during the course of the whole process, a phenomenon of permanent change of strain travel, realized by a periodical, two-sided, plastic metal torsion. Moreover the aim of this work was to study corrosion resistance. The microstructure investigations were performed using an optical microscope Olimpus GX71, a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM). The mechanical properties were determined with INSTRON 4505/5500 machine. Corrosion tests were performed using «Autolab» set – potentiostat/galvanostat from EcoChemie B.V. with GPES software ver. 4.9. The obtained results showed possibility of KOBO deformation of Cu-Sn casting alloys. KOBO processing contributed to the refinement of grains and improved mechanical properties of the alloys. The addition of tin significantly improved the hardness. Meanwhile, with the increase of tin content the tensile strength and yield strength of alloys decrease gradually. Ductility is controlled by eutectoid composition and especially δ phase, because they initiate nucleation of void at the particle/matrix interface. No significant differences in the corrosion resistance between cast and KOBO processed materials were found.

The article presents tests results of metalforming of magnesium alloy AZ61. Materials for tests were ingots sized  40×90 mm from magnesium alloy marked with symbol AZ61. Before the shaping process the ingots underwent heat treatment. As a result of conduction of the deformation processes there were rods achieved with diameter of 8 mm. There were axisymmetrical compression tests conducted on the samples taken from rods in temperature range from RT to 350ºC in order to determine the plasticity and formability of the alloy AZ61. Static tensile test was conducted in room temperature (RT), in 300ºC and in 350ºC. With the use of light and electron microscopy techniques the changes which occurred in the microstructure of AZ61alloy in initial condition and after plastic deformation (classic extrusion, KoBo method extrusion) were described. The deformation of alloy AZ61 using the KoBo method contributes to an increase in strength and plastic properties. The effect of superplastic flow was found at a temperature of 350ºC, where a 300% increase in plastic properties – elongation value was obtained. The analysis of the microstructure showed a significant grain size reduction in the microstructure of alloy AZ61 after deformation by the KoBo method and after an axisymmetric compression test, where grains of an average diameter of d = 13 µm were obtained.

The paper presents selected results of KOBO extrusion process of circular profile ϕ10 mm from aluminum alloy 2099. The main aim of the performed research was to determine the influence of the oscillation frequency of a die on the magnitude of extrusion force. During the process such parameters, as extrusion force, rate of stem and frequency of die oscillation were recorded; oscillating angle of a die was constant and equal ±8°. The die oscillation frequency was changeable in performed tests in the range of 2 ÷ 7 Hz. The obtained results allowed to determine the relation between the maximum extrusion force and the die oscillation frequency during extrusion of aluminum 2099 alloy.

The paper focuses on the experimental analysis of mechanical characteristics of the KOBO process. Basing on the recorded force versus stem position, three stages of KOBO extrusion process were determined, i.e. initialization, stabilization and uniform extrusion. Points separating these stages are two inflection points of recorded diagram. The analysis of each stage was made basing on the results of force diagrams and literature data.

Basing on experimental data, the possibility of consolidating side products of turning, milling and drilling of aluminum alloys into the form and properties of solids metals using low-temperature KoBo extrusion method has been assessed. Research regarding mechanical and structural properties of the final products revealed their total consolidation and proved their compatibility with requirements for products made of bulk billets. Importantly, the chips consolidation process does not require high or even raised temperature, which significantly reduces the unfavorable phenomenon of chips oxidation and its negative influence on the structure and mechanical properties of products. A very good effect of chips compaction has been proved by KoBo method, which has been confirmed by relatively slightly different mechanical properties of the material after recycling compared with the bulk one. Among currently applied techniques of consolidation of dispersed fractions in a solid state (leaving the melting stage out), the KoBo method seems an innovative way of utilizing metallic chips, as it enables a cold deformation process.

The paper presents investigations using 2024 and 7075 aluminum alloys chips from manufacturing process, formed into briquettes and deformed under conditions of KoBo extrusion process, which enables to obtain long product by cold forming. The final product characterized by good microstructures, mechanical features and low cost of production.

Numerical simulations of the KOBO extrusion process are presented in this paper. The coupled thermomechanical Eulerian-Lagrangian approach was applied for the three-dimensional finite element model. The dynamic explicit Euler forward method was used in numerical calculations. The elastic-plastic Chaboche model assuming isotropic and kinematic hardening under variable temperature conditions was applied to describe the behaviour of the material under cyclic loading. In numerical computations Chaboche material model implemented in commercial software, as well as the proprietary one written as FORTRAN procedure were tested. The numerical results present the stress and strain distributions in the extruded material, as well as an increase of temperature due to the plastic work and friction. The shape of plastic strain zones was verified experimentally. The approach presented in the paper is a promising numerical tool to simulate the KOBO process.