On the lattice rotations accompanying slip

The texture (crystallographic texture) of a polycrystalline material is the statistical representation of the preferred orientation of the crystal lattices in the various grains. The great majority of the materials that we encounter do have a texture, some degree of preferred orientation of the crystal lattices, and this texture may have a strong effect on the properties of the materials.

The texture is introduced by lattice rotations in the individual grains during processing. The present critical assessment deals with the lattice rotations during rolling of face centred cubic (fcc) metals and alloys. Sixteen years ago, a modification of the traditional procedure for the calculation of these lattice rotations was suggested, a modification that would permit a realistic modelling of the development of the brass type texture, one of the two types of texture developed during rolling of fcc materials.

However, this modification was not given serious consideration by the texture community. Recently, two new independent investigations have supported the modification. We argue that this new situation should lead to a general acceptance of the modification, and we discuss the scientific and technological aspects of the modification.

We also discuss possible modifications beyond that of the original suggestion.