Role of stored energy in static recrystallization of cold rolled copper single and multicrystals Original Research Article

The intragranular work-hardening state has been investigated in moderately cold rolled copper single and multicrystals. Every grain/sample has been individually investigated by X-ray diffraction profile analysis which allows the determination of the dislocation density and of the outer cut-off radius of the dislocation structure, the two principal parameters of the stored energy. It has been found that the stored energy varies substantially with the initial orientation, leading to a strong variation of the critical recrystallization temperature from grain to grain. On the other hand, in situ annealing reveals a discontinuous progress of recrystallization characterized by a strong influence of the heterogeneity of the stored energy.