Capturing the texture changes in a zirconium alloy during the allotropic phase transformation

High-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction was used to measure in situ the texture of a cold-rolled zirconium alloy during α to β phase transformation. Miniature samples were heat treated by resistive heating, during which diffraction patterns were captured continuously using a two-dimensional X-ray detector. High-quality quantitative texture information was obtained from single diffraction images. Experimental data of the high-temperature β texture is presented, as well as evidence of recrystallization and β grain growth.