Texture evolution during the recrystallization of a warm-rolled low-carbon steel

The texture changes taking place during the recrystallization of a warm-rolled low-carbon steel were examined using electron backscattered diffraction. The deformation textures of the warm-rolled material are similar in shape to those of cold-rolled materials, but are somewhat more intense. The recrystallization textures resemble the deformation textures but with a more extended alpha fibre that includes the {133} < 471 > orientation; the gamma fibre extends to the {554}< 225 > orientation. These two orientations are related to the {112}< 110 > deformed grains by near 260 rotations about selected < 110 > axes. Nevertheless, both orientations appear in the early stages of recrystallization, an observation that does not support the oriented growth theory. The {111}< hkl > orientations are the first to recrystallize while the alpha fibre is present until the end of recrystallization. It is finally consumed by all types of grains as well as by subgrain coalescence. The similarities in the growth rates for the {111}< hkl > and random orientations and the late disappearance of the a fibre suggest that recrystallization takes place according to the high stored energy oriented nucleation concept. (c) 2006 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.