Large strain deformation textures and microstructures of an Al-Mg-Si alloy

Torsion tests were carried out at 400 degrees C and 0.1s(-1) on a homogenized 6060 (Al-0.48wt%Mg-0.43wt%Si) aluminium alloy. The microstructures were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and electron back-scattering diffraction (EBSD). The analyses of local misorientation distributions confirm the occurrence of continuous dynamic recrystallization, i. e., the progressive misorientation of subgrain boundaries and their transformation into high angle grain boundaries. The initially isotropic texture evolves toward the twin symmetric B/B component, i. e. {1 12}< 110 >, for epsilon=20. Orientation maps showing the B and B oriented grains illustrate the distribution of the grains belonging to the two orientations within the material. The various strains at which the mechanical and structural parameters reach their steady state are finally discussed.