Microstructure and texture development during deformation and recrystallisation in strip cast AA8011 aluminum alloy

In the present work, microstructure and texture development during deformation and recrystallisation of a twin roll cast (TRC) AA8011 aluminum alloy was investigated. TRC AA8011 alloy with initial thickness 7.2 mm and Fe:Si ratio ∼0.93 was cold rolled in a laboratory rolling mill to 2 mm final thickness. The cold rolled sheet was recrystallized at 375 °C and 450 °C for different times. The hardness decreased with increase in recrystallisation time for both temperatures, but there was no effect on centre line segregation (consisting predominantly of Al-Fe-Si intermetallics). XRD confirmed the presence of β-AlFeSi particles at all the stages of recrystallisation. The initial TRC sheet had a very weak texture close to brass ({110} ). After 72% cold rolling (final thickness, 2 mm), strong brass, copper ({112} ) and S ({123} ) texture i.e. metal type texture developed. Low temperature annealing (4 h at 375 °C) was found to give optimum combination of deformation texture and cube recrystallisation texture ({100} ) expected to improve the forming behavior of cold rolled and annealed sheet. •Recrystallisation of twin roll cast AA8011 Al alloy is studied.•Effect of second phase particles on recrystallisation is studied.•Strong copper type texture develops after deformation.•After recrystallisation cube develops.•Low temperature was beneficial for increasing formability.