Deformation and texture of copper–manganese alloys

Abstract Manganese is the only element that can be dissolved in copper up to 12% without markedly changing the stacking fault energy (SFE). Hence, investigation of the deformation behaviour of Cu–Mn alloys may yield insight into the influence of alloying elements apart from the (usual) decrease in SFE. The development of the crystallographic texture is analysed in various Cu–Mn alloys that were deformed either in compression or by cold rolling. The texture development is simulated by means of a novel materials-dependent Taylor-deformation model. The spatial arrangement of the rolling texture orientations in the as-deformed microstructure is studied by an orientation-sensitive etching technique. Despite the constant SFE, with increasing Mn content the rolling textures change from the pure metal (copper) type towards the alloys (brass) type. This effect is attributed to the altered deformation behaviour as well as the increased tendency to form shear bands due to the large increase in strength of the Cu–Mn alloys.