Texture and microtexture development in an Al–3Mg–Sc(Zr) alloy deformed by triaxial forging

The texture and microstructure evolutions of a triaxially forged Al–3% Mg–0.25% Sc–0.12% Zr alloy are described for strains up to 3 and temperatures in the range 20–400°C. A clear deformation texture develops and is composed of three symmetrical variants of a 〈110〉〈11¯0〉〈001〉 component. A three-dimensional spatially resolved crystal plasticity analysis also predicts the same texture evolution. At room temperature, significant grain fragmentation leads to substructure refinement and weaker textures. However, at 300°C and above, more homogeneous intragranular deformation and rotations lead to stronger textures and, ultimately, the formation of interpenetrating ‘orientation chains’ as a result of grain coalescence to common orientations, a new type of microstructure.