Role of stacking fault energy on the deformation characteristics of copper alloys processed by plane strain compression

► Different compositions of Cu-Zn and Cu-Al alloys are plane strain compressed. ► Strain hardening rates, microstructure and texture evolution are documented. ► SFE has an indirect effect rather a critical dislocation density controls twinning. ► Cu-Al exhibited the need for higher dislocation density for twin initiation. ► Onset of twinning occurs in the copper alloys tested with a normalized SFE ≤ 10-3.