Change in microstructure and crystal orientation of an A5052 aluminum alloy processed by multi-directional forging at room temperature

A commercial A5052 aluminum alloy was processed by multi-directional forging (MDF) to 6 passes in a total strain of 4.8 at room temperature. Microstructures and crystal orientations were examined by the electron back-scatter diffraction method. The change in crystal orientations was discussed from two models, the minimum work (Taylor) and the maximum resolved shear stress (Sachs). Ultra-fine grain structure below 1m was developed in the specimen after the MDF for 6 passes. The analysis using crystal orientation index of {hkl} <uvw> indicated that the main components of texture after MDF for 6 passes were {011} <100> and {011} <110>, which were parallel to the compression plane in the final pass of MDF and the compression axis before two passes, respectively, in the specimen coordinate system. Regardless of the number of MDF pass, the main component was {011} <100>. The plastic deformation in MDF from 1 to 3 passes was mainly explained by the Sachs model, however this model could not apply to the formation of the texture after MDF for 6 passes.