Heterogeneous phase transformation texture evolution in low alloyed ULC steel sheets

Abstract

In the present study the cold rolled sheet of ultra low carbon steel alloyed with manganese and aluminium has been investigated after α - γ - α transformation annealing in vacuum. The texture analysis was carried out on the surface, sub-surface and in the bulk of the annealed sheet. A < 100 > // ND and < 110 > //ND texture with weak intensity is observed on the sheet surface and a strong < 111 > //ND fibre in the bulk of the transformed sheet. In depth micro-texture analysis by orientation contrast microscopy reveals that two different types of orientation selection mechanisms could be active. The texture at the metal-vapour interface is controlled by surface energy anisotropy (producing a local < 100 > , < 110 > //ND texture at the surface) and a texture memory mechanism generating strong < 111 > //ND fibre is active in the bulk of the sheets. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.