TEM Orientation Imaging in Characterization of Texture Changes in FCC Metals

Aspects of crystal subdivision and nucleation of recrystallization in fcc-lattice metals are studied by TEM-based orientation mapping. This method is suitable to study fine-grained materials because of the good spatial resolution and a direct comparison of the orientation distribution with the dislocation structure is possible. Orientation measurements of subcells in the deformed state shows that and the unstable behavior leads strain inhomogeneities and therefore to specific texture components. The first-formed nuclei develop within the as-deformed dislocation structures; successive stages of recrystallization are observed in annealed samples.