Microtexture analysis of a hot deformed Al-2.3wt.%Li-0.1wt.%Zr alloy

A model Al-Li-Zr alloy subjected to extrusion and hot rolling was examined. The spatial distribution of the grain orientations was determined by analysing the local texture using the methods of electron channeling patterns and electron back scattering diffraction. The ‘grain by grain’ examinations have shown that the texture within many grains is inhomogeneous. Almost all the grains are oriented along the β-fibre. The grains are rotated along this fibre in a continuous mode. In hot-rolled sheets, the Goss orientation was observed to pass gradually into brass (Bs). Another observation was the presence of paired Bs+ and Bs− grains, symmetrically equivalent. The grains are most often rotated about: (i) the {111} poles closest to the normal direction; (ii) the rolling direction; or (iii) the normal direction. In the first case the grain rotation is S↔copper (Cu), in the second Bs↔S. Among the rotations about the normal direction, we can distinguish those from the Goss orientation to the Bs orientation and those from the ‘rotation cube’ orientation to orientations intermediate between S and Bs.