Tailoring the texture and mechanical properties of 3% Y2O3p/ZGK200 composites fabricated by unidirectional and cross rolling followed by annealing

3% Y2O3p/ZGK200 composites were subjected to unidirectional rolling (UR) and cross rolling (CR) at 400 °C and 350 °C followed by annealing at 300 °C for 1 h. The microstructure, texture and mechanical properties of rolled and annealed composites were systematically studied. The rolled composites exhibited a heterogeneous microstructure, consisting of deformed grains elongated along rolling direction (RD) and Y2O3 particles bands distributed along RD. After annealing, static recrystallization (SRX) occurred and most deformed grains transformed into equiaxed grains. A non-basal texture with two strong T-texture components was obtained after UR while a non-basal elliptical/circle texture with circle multi-peaks was obtained after CR, indicating that rolling path had great influences on texture of the composites. After annealing process, R-texture component disappeared or weakened, as results, a non-basal texture with double peaks tilting from normal direction (ND) to transverse direction (TD) and a more random non-basal texture with circle multi-peaks were obtained for UR and CR composites, respectively. The yield strength of rolled composites after UR showed obvious anisotropy along RD and TD while a low anisotropic yield strength was obtained after CR. Some Y2O3 particles broke during rolling. The fracture of the composites was attributed to the existence of Y2O3 clusters and interfacial debonding between particles and matrix during tension, as a result, the ductility was not as superior as matrix alloy.