Modelling of recrystallisation kinetics and texture during the thermo-mechanical processing of aluminium sheets

Computer-based alloy and process development requires integration of models for simulating the evolution of microstructure, microchemistry and crystallographic texture into process models of the thermo-mechanical production of Al sheet. The present paper focuses on recent developments in linking softening modules that simulate the progress of recovery and recrystallisation with the following texture changes to deformation and microchemistry models. The potential of such coupled simulations is illustrated by way of the thermo-mechanical processing of Al-Mg-Mn alloys. In particular, the progress of recrystallisation during coil cooling ("self-annealing") as well as the texture differences between production on a reversible rolling mill and a high-speed tandem line are explored.