Abstract
With the purpose of defining optimal microstructure and texture for
higher quality in deep–drawing operations of cold-rolled steels; this study
monitors and analyses the micro- and macro-scale deformation behavior of DC04
grade cold-rolled steel sheets under uniaxial tension and biaxial stretching.
An in-plane biaxial test setup capable of observing and measuring the
deformation is utilized for obtaining strain maps at the micro- and
macro-scale. Strain maps at the micro-scale are then compared with texture and
microstructure data obtained before and after the deformation. Results show
strain localization to the interior of grains under both strain paths, as
opposed to the common grain boundary localization observed in the literature.
Remnants of the α fiber components in the initial γ fiber texture, especially
grains with {100}<110> orientations, are the likely sources of the
localizations as they allow deformation in the sheet thickness direction. While
these localizations do not appear to be critical for macro-scale formability,
their suppression should be helpful in preventing surface defects and local
fracture. Total elimination of α fiber components from the initial texture is
proposed as a way preventing micro-scale localizations