Microtexture analysis of a hot deformed Al-2.3wt.%Li-0.10wt.%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 analy sing the local texture using the methods of electron channeling patterns an d electron back scattering diffraction. The 'grain by grain' examinations h ave shown that the texture within many grains is inhomogeneous. Almost all the grains are oriented along the beta-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 th e presence of paired Bs(+) and Bs(-) grains, symmetrically equivalent. The grains are most often rotated about: (i) the (111) poles closest to the nor mal direction; (ii) the rolling direction; or (iii) the normal direction. I n 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 'rotati on cube' orientation to orientations intermediate between S and Bs. (C) 199 9 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.