Abstract
The effects of different heat treatments on the recrystallized texture and grain size of 90% cold rolled aluminium reinforced by 2vol% SiC whiskers have been studied. Annealing temperatures in the range 250-510°C and 3 heating rates (25, 80, 400°C/min) were used. The recrystallization textures were determined by neutron diffraction and the grain sizes were measured by optical microscopy. It was found that the recrystallization textures are rotated cube textures ({100} <013 >) and the strength depends strongly on annealing temperature, (T) and heating rate (dT/dt) – peak intensities in the range from 6 to 22x random are measured. Also the grain size varies strongly (70-435 μm) with T and dT/dt. Simple maps relating the effects of T and dT/dt on texture and microstructure are constructed and it is discussed how T and dT/dt affects nucleation and growth.