Quantitative evaluation of crystallographic texture in aluminum alloy builds fabricated by very high power ultrasonic additive manufacturing

Very high power ultrasonic additive manufacturing (VHPUAM) has shown good bond quality over traditional ultrasonic consolidation processes. However, the stability of microstructure in bulk and interface regions is unknown. Our earlier research showed a large difference in grain growth kinetics between bulk and interface regions. Therefore, we have performed in-situ studies of crystallographic texture evolution using a neutron beam line, before, during, and after heat treatment at 343 °C for 2 hours. Shear texture in the as-received condition was found to be stronger with higher vibration amplitudes. We also observed rapid reduction of rolling textures in the initial material and presence of shear textures even after heat treatment.