Abstract

Copper single crystals with the starting orientations <111> and <100> were drawn 80%. In the core region of the rods the orientations and the microstructures were investigated. The stable <111> crystal had a structure consisting of equiaxed cells and microbands which were formed parallel to the {111} planes with the exception of the {111} plane in the cross section of the rod. The <100> orientation was not entirely stable; the beginning of some orientational changes was observed at a high degree of deformation. In the parts with stable orientation a cylindrical cell structure was found with the long axes parallel to the drawing direction. Single microbands formed locally. Dislocation tangles around them finally developed, which lead to a change of the <100> orientation.