Tailoring the texture and mechanical properties of 3% Y₂O_3p/ZGK200 composites fabricated by unidirectional and cross rolling followed by annealing

3% Y₂O_3p/ZGK200 composites were subjected to unidirectional rolling (UR) and cross rolling (CR) at 400 ℃ and 350 ℃ followed by annealing at 300 ℃ for 1 h. The microstructure, texture and mechanical properties of rolled and annealed composites were systematically studied. The rolled composites exhibited a heterogeneous microstructure, consisting of deformed grains elongated along rolling direction (RD) and Y₂O₃ particles bands distributed along RD. After annealing, static recrystallization (SRX) occurred and most deformed grains transformed into equiaxed grains. A non-basal texture with two strong T-texture components was obtained after UR while a non-basal elliptical/circle texture with circle multi-peaks was obtained after CR, indicating that rolling path had great influences on texture of the composites. After annealing process, R-texture component disappeared or weakened, as results, a non-basal texture with double peaks tilting from normal direction (ND) to transverse direction (TD) and a more random non-basal texture with circle multi-peaks were obtained for UR and CR composites, respectively. The yield strength of rolled composites after UR showed obvious anisotropy along RD and TD while a low anisotropic yield strength was obtained after CR. Some Y₂O₃ particles broke during rolling. The fracture of the composites was attributed to the existence of Y₂O₃ clusters and interfacial debonding between particles and matrix during tension, as a result, the ductility was not as superior as matrix alloy.