Development of the "brass" texture component during the hot deformation of Al-6Cu-0.4Zr

Texture and microstructure development during hot plane strain compression of Al-6Cu-0.4Zr has been examined using EBSD. Starting with a random texture in the cast condition, the material developed a typical P-fibre texture during the early stages of plane strain compression at a temperature of 375 degreesC. At strains higher than about 2, the "brass" texture component, {011} <211>, began to dominate the texture. The development of such a texture has been observed previously in aluminium alloys, particularly when fine particles effecting Zener pinning of grain boundaries are present. In the present case, measurements indicate that grain boundary migration during deformation was responsible for the development of the strong "brass" texture. (C) 2004 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.