Measurement and prediction of texture development during a rolling sequence of Zircaloy-4 tubes

In this work we compare measurements and numerical predictions of texture development along a forming sequence of Zircaloy-4 tubes. Simulations were carried out using a viscoplastic self-consistent (VPSC) formulation in order to account for the effect of the high intrinsic plastic anisotropy of hcp crystals. Using a set of active slip and twinning systems with associated critical resolved shear stresses - selected in agreement with previously reported experimental evidence - we were able to reproduce the main features of the rolling textures along the complete sequence. Finally, we discuss the effect of different initial parameters (Q-factor, the area-reduction factor, initial texture) on the final texture of the tube.