Effect of cold rolling on the microstructure evolution of Nb-5W-2Mo-1Zr niobium alloy sheets

In this study, the effect of cold rolling deformation from 10 % to 50 % was investigated on the microstructure evolution of Nb-5W-2Mo-1Zr alloy sheets. Microstructure observations showed that cold rolling deformation changed the texture of the sheets. At low deformation levels, the texture transitioned from an annealed {001} 〈1−10〉 orientation to a deformation-induced {112} 〈1−10〉 plate texture. As deformation increased, novel slip systems activated, transforming the deformation texture into a combination of {001} 〈1−10〉 and {111} 〈1−10〉 plate textures. In the grain interior, small-angle grain boundaries proliferated, the dislocation density intensified, and strain accumulated, resulting in the formation of fresh slip bands.