Ductilizing Al-Mn strips via gradient texture

Improved strength-ductility synergy is not uncommon among metallic materials with gradient structures of grains and twins. In this work, we report that the texture gradient innately created in Al-Mn strips by twin-roll casting is also capable of increasing the material's ductility without sacrificing its strength. Analyses based on crystal plasticity theory demonstrated that the underlying mechanism of this texture-gradient-induced ductility enhancement lies in the orientation-dependent slip and grain rotation, which generate backstress, alter the local stress triaxiality, and delay the fracture process. These results advocate the integration of texture gradient design into the fabrication of high-performance gradient materials.Impact StatementThis work demonstrates for the first time that gradient texture could ductilize Al strips. It provides a new pathway & mdash; texture gradient design & mdash; to the fabrication of advanced structural materials.