Experiments were conducted to investigate the mechanical response and failure mechanism of commercial 2024 aluminum alloy processed by Equal Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP). Microstructure refinement was examined by Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), and material properties were investigated in terms of tensile properties, work-hardening behavior, the Bauschinger effect, fracture surface morphology and micro-void distribution. The experimental results showed that through the ECAP process, the alloy was refined into ultra fine grained structure with grain size of about 300 nm. The ECAPed samples exhibited much enhanced tensile strength, only slightly reduced overall ductility, and unique work hardening behavior. The Bauschinger effect was improved after ECAP, and the ECAPed material displayed a typical ductile microvoid coalescence fracture mode. Attention should be given to these fundamental properties in future commercial applications of ECAPed materials.