Recrystallization microstructures and textures in AA 5052 continuous cast and direct chill cast aluminum alloy

Commercially produced hot bands of AA 5052 continuous cast (CC) and direct chill (DC) cast aluminum alloys were cold rolled to (thickness) reductions of 70%, 80%, and 90% followed by annealing at different conditions. The recrystallization kinetics are found equivalent for both the CC and DC materials. Recrystallization microstructures are different between the CC and DC materials. Evolution of recrystallization texture in the CC and DC materials were investigated by using three-dimensional orientation distribution functions (ODFs) that were determined by X-ray diffraction. The recrystallization texture was correlated with cold rolling reduction (prior to annealing), annealing temperature, and annealing time. Results showed that the R {124} <211> and cube {001} <100> are dominant recrystallization texture components in both CC and DC materials. During annealing, the intensity and volume fraction of the cube component strongly depend on the prior cold rolling history. In contrast, the intensity and volume fraction of the R component remains almost constant regardless of the different cold rolling reductions prior to annealing. After complete recrystallization, the intensity and volume fraction of both R and cube components appear to be independent of the annealing temperature and annealing time. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.