Introduction
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Crystalline and polycrystalline materials can be analysed using Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) to study the crystallographic structure, such as: grain orientation, misorientation, texture measurement, grain size distribution, grain boundary type and phases. This technique can also be used simultaneously with
EDS . - Typically, the sample is tilted to 70° to maximise the intensity of diffracted signal.
- The electrons are subsequently diffracted by the tilted sample and the pattern is detected with a fluorescent screen.
- The pattern is characteristic of the crystal structure and orientation and is named kikuchi pattern.
Understanding crystallography
EBSD is useful for a range of samples, including in metallurgy and materials analysis as well as geological analyses. Not only can EBSD data provide inside into the stress and strain of a sample, it is also possible to analyse the effect of techniques such as annealing on materials or be used as a tool to solve a reason for faults in a product.
In rocks, EBSD data can inform us whether a rock has been recrystallised, analyse palaeo-stress the sample has undergone or even determine deformation mechanisms in rocks in tectonic environments.
Available equipment
Case studies
Are you interested in how PEMC have used EBSD to help solve industrial and research projects? Check out our case studies below!
Scarlet PL Case Study
Checking the quality of welding using EBSD
Radley Scientific Case Study
Analysing grain structure and possible internal stresses in Piezo electric ceramic rings
Investigating Fault Analysis through EBSD
Supporting PhD research in complex fault systems using grain orientation analysis