Microstructure and texture evolution during annealing of equiatomic CoCrFeMnNi high-entropy alloy

• Recrystallization texture in high entropy alloys is reported for the first time.
• The texture is compared to other low SFE alloys e.g. TWIP and austenitic steels.
• Great resistance to grain coarsening during recrystallization.
• Retention of deformation texture components during annealing like TWIP steels.
• Stronger S than Brass and Goss components unlike TWIP and austenitic steels.

Evolution of microstructure and texture after heavy cold rolling and subsequent annealing in a wide temperature range was first studied in an FCC equiatomic CoCrFeMnNi high-entropy alloy (HEA). Development of a submicron-cell structure and a strong brass-type texture was observed after 90% cold rolling. An ultrafine microstructure having average recrystallized grain size ∼1 μm with profuse annealing twins was observed after annealing at 650 °C. Remarkable resistance against grain coarsening was observed at least up to 800 °C. The mechanisms for these features were closely related with the distinct whole-solute matrix in HEAs. The recrystallization texture was characterized by the retention of deformation texture components similar to those of TWIP and 316 stainless steels. But notable differences exist. The S ({1 2 3}〈6 3 4〉) component is stronger than brass ({1 1 0}〈1 1 2〉) and Goss ({1 1 0}〈0 0 1〉), and strengthened with increasing annealing temperatures. Strong α-fiber (〈1 1 0〉//ND) components other than the deformation components BS and G, and higher fraction of random components also develop. It could be attributed to profuse annealing twin formation due to the low stacking fault energy of the alloy.