Abstract
Mechanical and microstructural characterization was carried out at 480 degreesC/5(.)10(-4) s(-1) on an Al-6% Cu-0.4% Zr superplastic alloy. The as-received material showed a fine deformed substructure. A texture gradient was present through the thickness of the rolled shoot. At the surface, the texture found was close to the orientation {311}(233) whereas in the midplane of the sheet it was {631}(113). The (s)-(e) tensile test curve presented three deformation stages called, stage I, II and III. The global texture in stage I increased slightly. In stage II, the intensity of orientation (311)(233) decreased, suggesting that a grain boundary sliding deformation process should take place near the surface. However in the center of the sheet, the {631}(113) orientation transformed to the orientation {110}(111) by slip process. This behaviour continued in the stage III, where the orientation (631)(113) totally disappeared.