Numerical analysis on the formation of P-orientation near coarse precipitates in FCC crystals during recrystallization

Particles or precipitates in physical metallurgy are important microstructural components which control mechanical properties and phase transformation behaviors such as the recrystallization, grain growth and anisotropy of metallic materials. In particular, particle stimulated nucleation followed by an oriented growth of P-oriented grains is a commonly accepted premise, and many industrial grade cold rolled Al alloys exhibit strong P-texture after annealing. Accordingly, substantial efforts have been invested in texture and engineering studies to explore exactly how particle stimulated nucleation leads to the formation of P-oriented grains after annealing in cold-rolled Al alloys. Despite extensive experimental observations on the formation of P-oriented grains, the theoretical grounds for the formation of P-oriented grains is not yet fully established. In this work, we employ crystal plasticity theory and strain energy release maximization theory to uncover the nucleation mechanism of P-orientations near a coarse precipitate of a plane strain compressed Al alloy. The strain energy release maximization theory used in this work demonstrates that the nucleation of P-orientation is primarily possible due to stable P-orientations and near P-orientations formed during plane strain compression, which act as nuclei that recrystallize into P-orientations.