Electron Backscatter Diffraction

Automotive and Aerospace

The characterisation of microstructures and textures has for many years been critical for the development of high-strength, lightweight materials in the automotive and aerospace industries. Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) is a critical analytical technique for these industries, combining rapid and complete microstructural characterisation with the exceptional spatial resolution required for the analysis of the latest ultra-fine grained and nanostructured materials.

Examples of EBSD applications in the automotive and aerospace fields are widespread and varied, including the following:

Rapid texture and grain size analyses of rolled metal sheets
Characterisation of microstructures of advanced lightweight alloys
Phase analyses of advanced high strength steels
Characterisation of thermal barrier coatings
Failure analysis in a range of materials

EBSD Kernel average misorientation map showing strain around a crack in a turbine blade Ni superalloy sample

Kernel average misorientation map highlighting the plastic strain in a Ni-based superalloy associated with a crack in a turbine blade sample. Sample from the Henry Royce Institute, Manchester.

Application Notes

Characterising extreme deformation in a failed Al alloy

A rigorous characterisation of the microstructure of failed materials is necessary to understand the causes of failure. Although EBSD is an effective tool for failure analysis, high local defect densities can make characterisation very challenging. In this application note the power of newly developed pattern matching techniques is demonstrated, with improved data quality leading to a better understanding of the failure mechanisms in an Al alloy.

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Direct Observations of Phase Transformations using High Temperature EBSD

Learn about a new phosphor screen for the Oxford Instruments CMOS EBSD detector range that uses an optical interference filter to block out the infrared signal during high temperature EBSD experiments. This new technology enables faster and more sensitive analyses of microstructural changes measured in-situ at high temperatures.

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Evaluating parent grain reconstruction in Titanium using high temperature in-situ EBSD

Learn how parent grain microstructures can be reconstructed from low temperature EBSD analyses using AZtecCrystal. Here, the reconstruction results for a Titanium sample are tested using in-situ EBSD analyses of beta-Ti collected at >900 °C using a new type of high temperature phosphor screen. The results indicate an excellent agreement between the as-measured and reconstructed beta-Ti microstructures.

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Rapid Classification of Advanced High Strength Steels using EBSD

Here the high analysis speed of the Symmetry S2 EBSD detector is combined with the advanced data processing capability of AZtecCrystal to characterise the complex phase distribution in 2 quenching and partitioning (Q&P) processed high strength steels.

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EBSD Characterisation of a high-strength lightweight steel

Understanding microstructure is fundamental to producing steels with specific mechanical properties for automotive applications. The integration of EBSD & EDS is a powerful microanalytical solution for monitoring microstructure, which aids the understanding of the relationship between materials processing, microstructure and performance...

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AZtecSynergy and BLG CrossCourt 3 EBSD Characterisation of a Crept Nickel Alloy

Microanalysis is a powerful tool in understanding potential failure mechanisms and potential life time of many materials. In this example, the microstructure and damage distribution following creep deformation of a nickel superalloy is studied using EBSD and EDS

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Evaluating Dislocation Densities and Slip Systems in deformed Titanium using EBSD

Discover how EBSD can be used to characterise the dislocation type and densities in deformed metals and alloys, enabling a better understanding of the material’s physical properties. Here we compare 2 deformed Ti alloys, showing how advanced dislocation analysis using AZtecCrystal highlights the operation of different slip systems during deformation.

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Webinars

Characterising and monitoring materials developed for use in extreme environments

Learn how the combination of EDS & EBSD on an electron microscope can be applied to the characterisation of materials ensuring manufacturing and product reliablity.

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Parent microstructure optimisation in steels and alloys using EBSD-based reconstruction

In this webinar, where are joined by one of the developers of a new approach to parent grain reconstruction, Dr Hung-Wei (Homer) Yen, who will be discussing the importance of understanding parent microstructures in the steel industry.

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