Forging, textures, and deformation systems in a B2 FeAl alloy

High-temperature forging experiments have been carried out by axial compression testing on a Fe–41Al–2Cr alloy in order to determine the deformation systems operating under such high-speed, high-temperature conditions, and to examine the textures produced by such deformation and during subsequent annealing to recrystallize. Deformation is deduced to take place by the operation of 〈111〉 {110} and 〈111〉{112} slip systems at low temperatures and by 〈100〉{001} and 〈100〉{011} slip systems at high temperatures, with the formation of the expected strong 〈111〉 textures. The examination of the weak 〈100〉 texture component is critical to distinguishing the operating slip system. Both texture and dislocation analyses are consistent with the operation of these deformation systems. Recrystallization takes place extremely quickly at high temperatures (above 800 °C), that is within seconds after deformation and also dynamically during deformation itself. Recrystallization changes the texture such that 〈100〉 textures superimpose on the deformation texture. The flow stress peak observed during forging is found at a very high temperature. Possible origins of the peak are examined in terms of the operating slip systems.