Deformation mechanisms and texture evolution in high entropy alloy during cold rolling

In the present study, equiatomic CoCrFeMnNi high entropy alloy (HEA) was subjected to thickness reductions of 20, 40, and 60% during cold rolling in order to thoroughly investigate the evolutions of both the microstructure and the deformation texture. Important aspects of deformed microstructures such as the activation of multiple twin variants and the formation of shear bands in the matrix were captured using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and electron channeling contrast imaging (ECCI) techniques. Twin trace analysis (TTA) was performed in conjunction with resolved shear stress (RSS) analysis for the identification of active twin variants. The RSS ratio, which is a ratio of the maximum RSS values for corresponding twin and slip systems, was used to reveal the orientation dependence of deformation twinning. Visco-plastic self-consistent (VPSC) simulations were carried out to predict the evolution of the crystallographic texture, the transition routes of ideal orientations subjected to multiple deformation twinning, and the role that deformation modes play in the rotation of orientation. Experimental and simulation results substantiated the key finding of the deformation twinning of a Brass orientation, which established new perspectives concerning the evolution of microstructure and texture. One twin variant of the Copper orientation was moved to a Goss orientation by dislocation slip while the other two variants were rotated towards Brass and S orientations. Meanwhile, twin variants of the S and Brass orientations primarily transitioned to a Brass orientation. The Goss orientation showed great resistance to the twinning mode. Furthermore, dislocation slip and the formation of shear bands contributed to the evolution of a strong texture while deformation twinning had the opposite effect.