Rolling asymmetry effects on recrystallization process and on properties and microstructure of annealed copper

There are number of works describing microstructural and mechanical properties of asymmetrically rolled polycrystalline metals. However, in industrial practice the rolled metals are generally annealed and recrystallized before final applications. Therefore, the influence of recrystallization on the properties of asymmetrically rolled metallic materials has to be studied. In the present paper such properties are studied for polycrystalline copper grade M1E rolled symmetrically and asymmetrically and then recrystallized. The microstructure characteristics, texture, hardness and mechanical anisotropy were examined using EBSD, X-ray diffraction and mechanical tests. The activation energy and released heat during recrystallization were determined using the differential scanning calorimetry tests. In general, the examined microstructural and mechanical properties of the recrystallized polycrystalline copper exhibit a pronounced dependence on the asymmetry ratio of the prior rolling deformation.