This study investigates the effect of copper (Cu) addition on the microstructure, texture and mechanical properties of interstitial-free steels. Cu addition altered the recrystallisation behaviour, resulting in a pronounced intensity gradient within the γ-fibre, with an intensified 111 component at the expense of the 111 orientation. This texture evolution increased the average Taylor factor, enhancing yield and tensile strength. However, it also reduced the average r-value and increased planar anisotropy, degrading deep drawability. The underlying mechanism is attributed to Cu segregation at grain boundaries, which retards recrystallisation kinetics and promotes preferential retention of α-fibre components. Thus, Cu addition induces a texture-mediated trade-off between enhanced strength and reduced formability.
Jiang et al. (Tue,) studied this question.