Recrystallization and texture evolution of cold-rolled FeCrAl thin-wall tube with large Laves phase during annealing: Effect of Nb content

The recrystallization and texture evolution of cold-rolled FeCrAl−0.65Nb and FeCrAl−1.2Nb alloys thin-wall tubes annealed at 600–900 °C for 1–600 min were investigated. The microstructures were characterized by electron back scattering diffraction, electron probe micro-analyzer and transmission electron microscopy. The Vickers hardness and room temperature tensile properties were tested. The results showed that the hardness of fully recrystallized FeCrAl−1.2Nb alloy was higher and more likely to recrystallize than FeCrAl−0.65Nb alloy. The weak texture strength of annealing sample was obtained and the proportion of //ND texture increased. The fine Laves phase distributed uniformly in FeCrAl−0.65Nb alloy had good pinning effect and inhibited recrystallization. Higher Nb content had little effects on tensile properties of thin-wall tube, and induced the formation of larger Laves phase. There was less fine Laves phase pinning in the large area adjacent to the blocky Laves phase, which resulted in easy recrystallization in FeCrAl−1.2Nb alloy.