Cold rolling texture evolution of TiB2 particle reinforced Al-based composites by Neutron Diffraction and EBSD analysis

Highlights: • Texture development of in-situ TiB₂ particle reinforced Al matrix composites after cold rolling were characterized. • The sum of rolling texture volume fractions has been significantly reduced by the weak texture in particle deformation zone. • Recrystallization nuclei with the Cube and Rotated-Cube orientations were observed in the particle deformation zones. • Small TiB₂ particles within Al grains kept the parallel relationship with surrounding matrix during the deformation. - Abstract: Texture development of particle-reinforced metal matrix materials (P-MMCs) has not been understood well, especially the effects of second-phase particles during the deformation. In this work, we have investigated the texture evolution of TiB₂/Al composites during cold rolling by Neutron Diffraction and EBSD analysis. Two forms of TiB₂ particles influenced the texture evolution in different ways. The particle-clusters aggregated along grain boundaries led to a reduction of texture volume fraction; recrystallization nuclei with weak texture appeared around these particle-clusters. Small non-shearable TiB₂ particles dispersed inside Al matrix contributed to strong Copper texture component at high strains; the individual particles rotated together with Al matrix during the deformation. These revealed effects of particles on the texture development in TiB₂/Al composites provide a reference for the texture control of P-MMCs.