Texture Observation and Control in Metal Manufacturing : Theory and Practice

Abstract It is generally known that the crystallographic texture of metal alloys is formed during subsequent solid-state transformations, occurring during manufacturing of the product. Applied to the specific case of metal sheet manufacturing, it implies that the texture of the finished product is the result of the crystallographic phenomena involved in hot rolling, cold rolling and annealing. Austenite-to-ferrite phase transformation, plastic deformation, recrystallization and grain growth are the dominant solid-state transformations occurring during thermo-mechanical processing of steel sheet. Moreover, the crystallographic texture ensuing of a solid-state transformation is a characteristic feature of the physical mechanics underlying this transformation and therefore, a precise understanding of the texture formation mechanisms is an important tool in gaining a better understanding of metal physics phenomena. The present paper will give a brief overview of the current state-of-the-art in these issues.