Influence of Strain Rate Sensitivity on Cube Texture Evolution in Aluminium Alloys

The influence of strain rate sensitivity on development of Cube texture and on the morphology of Cube-oriented grains is often neglected in simulations approaches. Therefore, crystal plasticity simulations and experiments were performed up to 73 pct of thickness reduction for cold rolling on Al 6016. It is found, that low values of strain rate sensitivity promote Cube grains fragmentation and avoid formation of transition bands already at 50 to 55 pct thickness reduction. High values of strain-rate sensitivity cause formation of Cube transition bands leaving thin Cube grains in the microstructure and delay their fragmentation. Other texture components are affected by changes in strain rate sensitivity as well. The Copper volume fraction in the final texture diminishes as the strain rate sensitivity decreases, while Brass and S components of the beta fiber show a moderately higher volume fraction when the strain rate sensitivity increases. The final volume fraction of Goss is highest when the strain rate sensitivity is 10−2 but low if the strain rate sensitivity is 10−3 or raises up to 10−1. Recrystallization texture components (P, Q) are not affected by strain rate sensitivity, while the invGoss fraction decreases for high values of strain rate sensitivity. The results found in cold rolling crystal plasticity simulations were compared with experimentally determined Cube distribution and texture components obtained through thickness for Al6016 rolled at 80 m/min and 600 m/min. Further crystal plasticity simulations were performed to predict the influence of strain rate sensitivity during several hot rolling conditions where activity of non-octahedral slip systems was included in the simulations. During hot rolling, high values of strain rate sensitivity contribute to Cube stabilization and promote formation of Copper texture and delay Brass and S.