Texture evolution of cold-rolled Zr-1Sn-0.3Nb-0.3Fe-0.1Cr alloy during annealing

Abstract

We herein report our investigation into the influence of cold-rolling on the recrystallization texture of the Zr-1Sn-0.3Nb-0.3Fe-0.1Cr alloy during annealing. The as-received plates were cold-rolled at 25 °C with different reductions of 6, 10, 14, 18, 30, 40, 50 and 70%. All cold-rolled sheets were annealed at 580 °C for 3 h, while 14 and 30% cold-rolled samples were also annealed at 580 °C for 12 h. The microstructures of the annealed samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Abnormal grains growth with about 23 μm in size appeared in the samples with 14% reduction and annealed at 580 °C for 3 h, which corresponded to the critical degree of alloy deformation. The texture of the 14% cold-rolled sheet was typical rolling texture <0001>//ND, after annealing, cold rolling texture was still retained. While the texture of the 30% cold-rolled sheet was <112¯0> parallel to the rolling direction (<112¯0>//RD), which changed to the recrystallization texture <0001>//ND, <101¯0>//RD and <112¯0>//RD characteristics after annealing. The loading direction is along the rolling direction (RD), the slip system and the Schmid factor are analyzed to more deeply understand and evaluate the plasticity of further rolling or punching. When the loading direction is along the rolling direction (RD), the predominant slip systems of annealed 14% reduction samples was prismatic and <a> pyramidal plane system, and the annealed 30% reduction samples were prismatic with a <c+a> pyramidal plane system. This implies that the use of 30% cold-rolled reduction and annealing at 580 °C for 12 h imparts a superior plasticity to the alloy, which may allow its application in future deformations, such as rolling or punching.