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Residual stress depth profiles of a cast nickel-base superalloy were measured by regarding the deflections occurring in plate-shaped specimens while successively removing layers from the machined or treated surface by electropolishing. The results are in good agreement with previous findings showing (i) the influence of grinding parameters on the width of so-called white layers, which correspond to steep gradients of residual tensile stress, and (ii) a broad zone of compressive residual stress in the case of shot peening.
As humanity contemplates manned missions to Mars, strategies need to be developed for the design and operation of hospitable environments to safely work in space for years. The supply of spare parts for repair and replacement of lost equipment will be one key need, but in-space manufacturing remains the only option for a timely supply. With high flexibility in design and the ability to manufacture ready-to-use components directly from a computeraided model, additive manufacturing (AM) technologies appear extremely attractive. For the manufacturing of metal parts, laser-beam melting is the most widely used AM process. However, the handling of metal powders in the absence of gravity is one prerequisite for its successful application in space. A gas flow throughout the powder bed is successfully applied to compensate for missing gravitational forces in microgravity experiments. This so-called gas-flow-assisted powder deposition is based on a porous Building platform acting as a filter for the fixation of metal particles in a gas flow driven by a pressure difference maintained by a vacuum pump.
Synthesis of Molybdenum and Niobium Mono- and Binary Silicides by the Method of SHS-Metallurgy
(2016)
The process of self-propagating high-temperature synthesis of the Mo–Nb–Si silicides from the powder mixtures has been investigated. Based on performed experiments, the composition of powder mixtures as well as technological parameters are proposed which provide the synthesis of monosilicides MoSi₂, NbSi₂, and binary silicides Mo₁-хNbxSi₂ with different ratios of Nb/Mo by adding different contents of MoO₃ and Nb₂O₅. Microstructure and phase compositions of the obtained silicide ingots are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, electron probe microanalysis, X-ray diffraction, and backscatter electron diffraction.
Electron Back Scatter Diffraction (EBSD) is a very versatile analytical technique allowing for the characterization of material structure. Historically, diffraction images (Kikuchi patterns) registered during EBSD analysis were solved using Hough/Radon transformation. The last decade brought several novel techniques of experimental pattern analysis, focusing entirely on image analysis routines such as pattern matching, or various variants of High-Resolution EBSD. However, all the above-mentioned techniques require prior knowledge of the material structure to perform orientation analysis. The recently presented algorithm employed in Crystallographic Analysis of Lattice Metric (CALM) software, effectively removes this limitation enabling a standard-less analytical approach in EBSD systems. At its core, the CALM technique couples accurate detection of the Kikuchi bands position, with a rigid construction of reciprocal lattice resulting from translational crystal symmetry. A unique characteristic of the methodology also gives an opportunity for application in the analysis of continuous lattice changes, for example tetragonality mapping. During mapping, however, the geometry of the gnomonic projection (represented by the projection center) is continuously altered decreasing overall algorithm efficiency. The work presents an analysis of the projection center in terms of precision and accuracy.
We analyse the signal formation process for scanning electron microscopic imaging applications on crystalline specimens. In accordance with previous investigations, we find nontrivial effects of incident beam diffraction on the backscattered electron distribution in energy and momentum. Specifically, incident beam diffraction causes angular changes of the backscattered electron distribution which we identify as the dominant mechanism underlying pseudocolour orientation imaging using multiple, angle-resolving detectors. Consequently, diffraction effects of the incident beam and their impact on the subsequent coherent and incoherent electron transport need to be taken into account for an in-depth theoretical modelling of the energy- and momentum distribution of electrons backscattered from crystalline sample regions. Our findings have implications for the level of theoretical detail that can be necessary for the interpretation of complex imaging modalities such as electron channelling contrast imaging (ECCI) of defects in crystals. If the solid angle of detection is limited to specific regions of the backscattered electron momentum distribution, the image contrast that is observed in ECCI and similar applications can be strongly affected by incident beam diffraction and topographic effects from the sample surface. As an application, we demonstrate characteristic changes in the resulting images if different properties of the backscattered electron distribution are used for the analysis of a GaN thin film sample containing dislocations.
We demonstrate the determination of crystal chirality using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) in the scanning electron microscope. The chirality of a-quartz as a space-group-dependent property is verified via direct comparison of experimental diffraction features to simulations using the dynamical theory of electron diffraction.
Analysis of Kikuchi band contrast reversal in electron backscatter diffraction patterns of silicon
(2010)
We analyze the contrast reversal of Kikuchi bands that can be seen in electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) patterns under specific experimental conditions. The observed effect can be reproduced using dynamical electron diffraction calculations. Two crucial contributions are identified to be at work: First, the incident beam creates a depth distribution of incoherently backscattered electrons which depends on the incidence angle of the beam. Second, the localized inelastic scattering in the outgoing path leads to pronounced anomalous absorption effects for electrons at grazing emission angles, as these electrons have to go through the largest amount of material. We use simple model depth distributions to account for the incident beam effect, and we assume art exit angle dependent effective crystal thickness in the dynamical electron diffraction calculations. Very good agreement is obtained with experimental observations for silicon at 20 key primary beam energy.
Crystal structures that show a broken symmetry in their cubic and hexagonal modifications are of great relevance for optoelectronic and photonic applications. This is why methods which are sensitive to non-centrosymmetric structures are important for analysis of these materials in technological applications.
Using channeling-enhanced energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), we demonstrate polarity sensitive orientation determination of a non-centrosymmetric crystal in the scanning electron microscope. The authors observe a characteristic asymmetry in the channeling-enhanced, angle-dependent EDX data of a GaAs sample, which is in good agreement to simulations using the dynamical theory of diffraction for the incident electron beam. This allows us to assign the orientation of the GaAs crystal according to the non-centrosymmetric point group. The method shown here overcomes the limitation of a reduced point-group sensitivity of electron backscatter diffraction Patterns and electron channeling patterns for crystalline phases that contain atoms of approximately equal electron scattering cross sections.
We demonstrate polarity-sensitive orientation mapping of non-centrosymmetric phases by Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD). The method overcomes the restrictions of kinematic orientation determination by EBSD, which is limited to the centro-symmetric Laue-groups according to Friedel's rule. Using polycrystalline GaP as an example, we apply a quantitative pattern matching approach based on simulations using the dynamical theory of electron diffraction. This procedure results in a distinct assignment of the local orientation according to the non-centrosymmetric point group of the crystal structure under investigation.
We discuss a refined simulation approach which treats Kikuchi diffraction patterns in electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and transmission Kikuchi diffraction (TKD). The model considers the result of two combined mechanisms: (a) the dynamical diffraction of electrons emitted coherently from point sources in a crystal and (b) diffraction effects on incoherent diffuse intensity distributions. Using suitable parameter settings, the refined simulation model allows to reproduce various thickness- and energy-dependent features which are observed in experimental Kikuchi diffraction patterns. Excess-deficiency features are treated by the effect of gradients in the incoherent background intensity. Based on the analytical two-beam approximation to dynamical electron diffraction, a phenomenological model of excess-deficiency features is derived, which can be used for pattern matching applications. The model allows to approximate the effect of the incident beam geometry as a correction signal for template patterns which can be reprojected from pre-calculated reference data. As an application, we find that the accuracy of fitted projection centre coordinates in EBSD and TKDcan be affected by changes in the order of 10−3–10-2 if excess-deficiency features are not considered in the theoreticalmodel underlying a best-fit pattern matching approach. Correspondingly, the absolute accuracy of simulation-based EBSD strain determination can suffer frombiases of a similar order of magnitude if excess-deficiency effects are neglected in the simulation model.
We discuss a refined simulation approach which treats Kikuchi diffraction patterns in electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and transmission Kikuchi diffraction (TKD). The model considers the result of two combined mechanisms: (a) the dynamical diffraction of electrons emitted coherently from point sources in a crystal and (b) diffraction effects on incoherent diffuse intensity distributions. Using suitable parameter settings, the refined simulation model allows to reproduce various thickness- and energy-dependent features which are observed in experimental Kikuchi diffraction patterns. Excess-deficiency features are treated by the effect of gradients in the incoherent background intensity. Based on the analytical two-beam approximation to dynamical electron diffraction, a phenomenological model of excess-deficiency features is derived, which can be used for pattern matching applications. The model allows to approximate the effect of the incident beam geometry as a correction signal for template patterns which can be reprojected from pre-calculated reference data. As an application, we find that the accuracy of fitted projection centre coordinates in EBSD and TKDcan be affected by changes in the order of 10−3–10−2 if excess-deficiency
features are not considered in the theoreticalmodel underlying a best-fit pattern matching approach. Correspondingly, the absolute accuracy of simulation-based EBSD strain determination can suffer frombiases of a similar order of magnitude if excess-deficiency effects are neglected in the simulation model.
For the precise determination of orientations in polycrystalline materials, electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) requires a consistent calibration of the diffraction geometry in the scanning electron microscope (SEM). In the present paper, the variation of the projection center for the Kikuchi diffraction patterns which are measured by EBSD is calibrated using a projective transformation model for the SEM beam scan positions on the sample. Based on a full pattern matching approach between simulated and experimental Kikuchi patterns, individual projection center estimates are determined on a subgrid of the EBSD map, from which least-square fits to affine and projective transformations can be obtained. Reference measurements on single-crystalline silicon are used to quantify the orientation errors which result from different calibration models for the variation of the projection center.
We describe a lattice-based crystallographic approximation for the analysis of distorted crystal structures via Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) in the scanning electron microscope. EBSD patterns are closely linked to local lattice parameter ratios via Kikuchi bands that indicate geometrical lattice plane projections. Based on the transformation properties of points and lines in the real projective plane, we can obtain continuous estimations of the local lattice distortion based on projectively transformed Kikuchi diffraction simulations for a reference structure. By quantitative image matching to a projective transformation model of the lattice distortion in the full solid angle of possible scattering directions, we enforce a crystallographically consistent approximation in the fitting procedure of distorted simulations to the experimentally observed diffraction patterns. As an application example, we map the locally varying tetragonality in martensite grains of steel.
Orientation determination does not necessarily require complete knowledge of the local atomic arrangement in a crystalline phase. We present a method for microstructural phase discrimination and orientation analysis of phases for which there is only limited crystallographic information available. In this method, experimental Kikuchi diffraction patterns are utilized to generate a self-consistent master reference for use in the technique of Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD). The experimentally derived master data serves as an application-specific reference in EBSD pattern matching approaches. As application examples, we map the locally varying orientations in samples of icosahedral quasicrystals observed in a Ti40Zr40Ni20 alloy, and we analyse AlNiCo decagonal quasicrystals.
During focused ion beam microscopy (FIB) of crystalline materials imaging contrast and milling result are effected by orientation of the crystals with respect to the incident ion beam. This is due to the possibility of ion channeling along preferred crystal directions which effects the depth at which interaction between ions and specimen atoms takes place. As a result of channeling emission of ion induced secondary electrons (iiSE) and secondary ions (SI) as well as the sputter rate decreases.
Theoretical channeling orientations and critical angles can be calculated.
These effects have been studied quantitatively for polycrystalline recrystallized Cu as a typical model case.
FIB Milling and Canneling
(2007)
We have studied the anisotropic milling of Cu with respect to the milling rate and the milling topography, as well. The background is twofold: i) anisotropic milling has to be taken into account during the preparation of TEM specimens and in the manufacturing of micro parts from crystalline materials, and ii) the orientation depending milling behaviour can be used to generate topographies with specific properties with respect to, for example, adsorption, wear, and corrosion.
The kinetic energy of keV electrons backscattered from a rutile (TiO2) surface depends measurably on the mass of the scattering atom. This makes it possible to determine separately the angular distribution of electrons backscattered elastically from either Ti or O. Diffraction effects of these backscattered electrons inside the rutile crystal lead to the formation of Kikuchi patterns. The element-resolved Kikuchi patterns of Ti and O differ characteristically, but each can be described fairly well in terms of the dynamical theory of diffraction. Qualitatively, much of the differences can be understood by considering the relative arrangement of the Ti and O atoms with respect to planes defined by the crystal lattice.
Методом рентгеноструктурного анализа в интервале температур 18—1150 °С определены температурные зависимости периодов кристаллических решеток γ- и γ'-фаз, их размерно-го несоответствия (мисфит) и объемной доли γ'-фазы экспериментального монокристал-лического жаропрочного никелевого сплава. Определены диапазоны температур, в которых происходят интенсивные изменения структурно-фазовых характеристик исследованного сплава.
The temperature dependences of the periods of the crystal lattices of the γ and γ' phases, their dimensional mismatch (misfit), and volume fraction of the γ' phase of an experimental single-crystal hightemperature nickel-based alloy have been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis in the temperature range of 18–1150°C. The temperature ranges in which intense changes in the structural and phase characteristics of the alloy under study take place have been determined.
Signal optimization for transmission Kikuchi diffraction (TKD) measurements in the scanning electron microscope is investigated by a comparison of different sample holder designs. An optimized design is presented, which uses a metal shield to efficiently trap the electron beam after transmission through the sample. For comparison, a second holder configuration allows a significant number of the transmitted electrons to scatter back from the surface of the sample holder onto the diffraction camera screen. It is shown that the secondary interaction with the sample holder leads to a significant increase in the background level, as well as to additional noise in the final Kikuchi diffraction signal. The clean TKD signal of the optimized holder design with reduced background scattering makes it possible to use small signal changes in the range of 2% of the camera full dynamic range. As is shown by an analysis of the power spectrum, the signal-to-noise ratio in the processed Kikuchi diffraction patterns is improved by an order of magnitude. As a result, the optimized design allows an increase in pattern signal to noise ratio which may lead to increase in measurement speed and indexing reliability.
The characterization of really unknown phases typically uses 70 to 150 reflectors for lattice metric calculation. The determination of the lattice parameters follows with 4% accuracy. Including a Z correction up to 1% can be reached. The precision of the lattice parameters ratios (a:b:c) is, however, better than 0.1%.
A nickel-based eutectic alloy with a γ/γ'-NbC structure was directionally solidified with a planar front. The specimens were tested for creep under sawtooth thermal cycling in the temperature range from 600 to 1100°C. It has been established that the lifetime under the conditions of thermal cycling is about five times shorter than it is predicted by the linear damage accumulation rule on the basis of results of isothermal creep tests. Faster creep under thermal cycling is caused by the rapid coarsening of the γ/γ' microstructure due to the periodic partial dissolution and reprecipitation of the γ' phase in heating and cooling half-cycles.
The early stages of corrosion of Fe-Cr-model alloys (2 and 9 % Cr) were investigated after exposure at 650 °C in0.5 % SO2containing gas by electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) and transmission electron microscopy(TEM). The impact of the grain orientation of the base alloy on the orientation relations of the corrosion productsis presented. After 2 min–5 min exposure the formation of a multi-layered corrosion zone was discovered. Aclear orientation relationship between ferrite and the (Fe,Cr)3O4 spinel could be demonstrated. The obtainedresults show the importance of the grain orientation on oxidation resistance.
The effect of electrochemical charging of hydrogen on the structure of a lean duplex stainless steel LDX 2101® (EN 1.4162, UNS S32101) was examined by both Time-of-Flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and electron back-scatter diffraction. The goal is to correlate hydrogen concentration and induced structural changes. Chemical and structural characterizations were done for the same region at the sample's surface with sub-micron spatial resolution. Regions of interest were varying in size between 50 × 50 μm and 100 × 100 μm. The results show a phase transformation of austenite to mainly a defect-rich BCC and scarcely a HCP phase. The phase transformation occurred in deuterium rich regions in the austenite.
In the present work, the influence of deuterium on the microstructure of a duplex stainless steel type EN 1.4462 has been characterized by Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) supported by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), focused ion beam (FIB), electron back scattered diffraction(EBSD) and energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) investigations. Characterization has been carried out before and after electrochemical charging with deuterium which has been used as a tracer, due to its similar behavior to hydrogen in the steel microstructure. In a first approach, the distribution of the deuterium occurring at temperatures above 58 °C has been visualized. Further it turned out that sub-surface micro blisters are formed in the ferrite-austenite interface, followed by the formation of needle shaped plates and subsequent cracking at the ferrite surface. In the austenite phase, parallel cracking alongside twins and hexagonal close packed (martensitic) regions has been observed. In both phases and even in the apparent interface, cracking has been associated with high deuterium concentrations, as compared to the surrounding undamaged microstructure. Sub-surface blistering in the ferrite has to be attributed to the accumulation and recombination of deuterium at the ferrite-austenite interface underneath the respective ferrite grains and after fast diffusing through this phase. Generally, the present application of chemometric imaging and structural analyses allows characterization of hydrogen assisted degradation at a sub-micron lateral resolution.
Modern EBSD systems perform diffraction pattern “quality” (PQ) calculations, essentially measurements of the contrast of the brighter bands in the pattern above background, for every pattern analyzed. Since the calculations are independent of EBSD indexing, data are generated from all points on the analyzed sample surface, regardless of indexability or the state of the material beneath. EBSD maps generated from PQ data are like microstructurally sensitive SEM images, collected at EBSD speeds and grid resolutions, with contrast arising from phase density, crystal structure, crystallographic orientation, grain boundary location, near-surface plastic strain, coating density/thickness, and to some extent topography. Grain boundaries and other aspects of sample microstructure are readily revealed, so the PQ map is a very useful characterization tool in its own right, and serves as a reference for EBSD maps generated from indexing-derived data, such as orientation, grain boundary character, phase distribution and strain maps.
The effect of two types of scanning strategies on the grain structure and build-up of Residual Stress (RS) has been investigated in an as-built IN718 alloy produced by Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF). The RS state has been investigated by X-ray diffraction techniques. The microstructural characterization was performed principally by Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD), where the application of a post-measurement refinement technique enables small misorientations (< 2°) to be resolved. Kernel average misorientation (KAM) distributions indicate that preferably oriented columnar grains contain higher levels of misorientation, when compared to elongated grains with lower texture. The KAM distributions combined with X-ray diffraction stress maps infer that the increased misorientation is induced via plastic deformation driven by the thermal stresses, acting to self-relieve stress. The possibility of obtaining lower RS states in the build direction as a consequence of the influence of the microstructure should be considered when envisaging scanning strategies aimed at the mitigation of RS.
Inconel 718 is a precipitation strengthened, nickel-based super alloy of interest for the Additive Manufacturing (AM) of low volume, complex parts to reduce production time and cost compared to conventional subtractive processes. The AM process involves repeated rapid melting, solidification and reheating, which exposes the material to non-equilibrium conditions that affect elemental segregation and the subsequent formation of solidification phases, either beneficial or detrimental. These variations are difficult to characterize due to the small length scale within the micron sized melt pool. To understand how the non-equilibrium conditions affect the initial solidification phases and their critical temperatures, a multi-length scale, multi modal approach has been taken to evaluate various methods for identifying the initial phases formed in the as-built Inconel 718 produced by laser-powder bed fusion (L-PBF) additive manufacturing (AM). Using a range of characterization tools from the bulk differential thermal analysis (DTA) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) to spatially resolved images using a variety of electron microscopy tools, a better understanding is obtained of how these minor phases can be properly identified regarding the amount and size, morphology and distribution. Using the most promising characterization techniques for investigation of the as-built specimens, those techniques were used to evaluate the specimens after various heat treatments. During the sequence of heat treatments, the initial as-built dendritic structures recrystallized into well-defined grains whose size was dependent on the temperature. Although the resulting strength was similar in all heat treated specimens, the elongation increased as the grain size was refined due to differences in the precipitated phase distribution and morphology.
Within the last decade, silicon drift detectors (SDD) systems have become more and more popular in the field of energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The main characteristic of the SDDs is their extremely high pulse load capacity of up to 750,000 counts per second at good or reasonable energy resolution (<123eV Mn-Kα, <46eV C-Kα at 100.000 cps). These properties in conjunction with electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) techniques and modern data processing make a range of innovative analysis options possible, not only high speed mapping but also hyperspectral imaging techniques.
During the energy transformation from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, the use of hydrogen as fuel and energy storage can play a key role. This presents new challenges to industry and the scientific community alike. The storage and transport of hydrogen, which is nowadays mainly realized by austenitic stainless steels, remains problematic, which is due to the degradation of mechanical properties and the possibility of phase transformation by hydrogen diffusion and accumulation. The development of materials and technologies requires a fundamental understanding of these degradation processes. Therefore, studying the behavior of hydrogen in austenitic steel contributes to an understanding of the damage processes, which is crucial for both life assessment and safe use of components in industry and transportation. As one of the few tools that is capable of depicting the distribution of hydrogen in steels, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry was conducted after electrochemical charging. To obtain further information about the structural composition and cracking behavior, electron-backscattered diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were performed. Gathered data of chemical composition and topography were treated employing data fusion, thus creating a comprehensive portrait of hydrogen-induced effects in the austenite grade AISI 304L. Specimens were electrochemically charged with deuterium instead of hydrogen. This arises from the difficulties to distinguish between artificially charged hydrogen and traces existing in the material or the rest gas in the analysis chamber. Similar diffusion and permeation behavior, as well as solubility, allow nonetheless to draw conclusions from the experiments.
(Bio)geochemical cycling of gold (Au) has been demonstrated in present-day (semi)-arid, (sub)-tropical and temperate environment. Hereby biofilms on Au-bearing mineral- and Au-particle surfaces drive Au dispersion and reconcentration, thereby (trans)forming the particles. However, it is unknown if biogeochemical cycling of Au occurs in polar environments, where air temperatures can reach −40 °C and soils remain frozen for much of the year. Therefore, placer Au-particles, soils and waters were collected at two placer mining districts in arctic Finland, i.e., the Ivalojoki and Lemmenjoki goldfields. Sites were chosen based on contrasting settings ((glacio)-fluvial vs. glacial-till deposits) and depths (surface to 5m below current surface). Gold particles were studied using a combination of tagged 16S rRNA gene next generation sequencing and electron microscopic/microanalytical techniques. Across all sites a range of Au-particle morphologies were observed, including morphotypes indicative of Au dissolution and aggregation. Elevated Au concentrations indicative of Au mobility were detected in placer particle bearing soils at both districts. Typically Au-particles were coated by polymorphic biofilm layers composed of living and dead cells embedded in extracellular polymeric substances. Intermixed were biominerals, clays and iron-sulfides/oxides and abundant secondary Au morphotypes, i.e., nano-particles, microcrystals, sheet-like Au, branched Au networks and overgrowths and secondary rims. Biofilms communities were composed of Acidobacteria (18.3%), Bacteroidetes (15.1%) and Proteobacteria (47.1%), with β-Proteobacteria (19.5%) being the most abundant proteobacterial group. Functionally, biofilms were composed of taxa contributing to biofilm establishment, exopolymer production and nutrient cycling, abundant taxa capable of Au mobilization, detoxification and biomineralization, among them Cupriavidus metallidurans, Acinetobacter spp. and Pseudomonas spp., were detected. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that placer Au-particle transformation and Au dispersion occur in cold, arctic environments. This corroborates the existence of biogeochemical Au cycling in present-day cold environments.
Biofilms living on gold (Au) grains play a key role in the biogeochemical cycle of Au by promoting the dispersion of Au via the formation of Au nanoparticles as well as the formation of secondary biomorphic Au. Gold grains from Queensland, Australia, are covered by a polymorphic, organic-inorganic layer that is up to 40 μm thick. It consists of a bacterial biofilm containing Au nanoparticles associated with extracellular polymeric substances as well as bacterioform Au. Focused ion beam (FIB) sectioning through the biofilm revealed that aggregates of nanoparticulate Au line open spaces beneath the active biofilm layer. These aggregates (bacterioform Au type 1) resulted from the reprecipitation of dissolved Au, and their internal growth structures provide direct evidence for coarsening of the Au grains. At the contact between the polymorphic layer and the primary Au, bacterioform Au type 2 is present. It consists of solid rounded forms into which crystal boundaries of underlying primary Au extend, and is the result of dealloying and Ag dissolution from the primary Au. This study demonstrates that (1) microbially driven dissolution, precipitation, and aggregation lead to the formation of bacterioform Au and contribute to the growth of Au grains under supergene conditions, and (2) the microbially driven mobilization of coarse Au into nanoparticles plays a key role in mediating the mobility of Au in surface environments, because the release of nanoparticulate Au upon biofilm disintegration greatly enhances environmental mobility compared to Au complexes only.
Using the method of directional solidification, single crystals of experimental nickel-based superalloys with negative, zero, and positive γ/γ' misfits are obtained. The γ' solvus, solidus, and liquidus temperatures of the alloys are determined, and the microstructures of the alloys after directional solidification, heat treatment, and creep tests are investigated. Creep tests are performed at temperatures of 800 and 1000°C. It is found that single crystals of the alloy with a negative γ/γ' misfit have the highest creep resistance and lifetime (the crystal lattice period of the γ' phase is smaller than that of the γ matrix).
An experimental Co-base superalloy was designed from the Ni-base system by exchange of Ni and Co concentrations. The alloy consist of a Co-matrix (γ phase) strengthened by cuboidal precipitates Co3(Al,X) (γ' phase). The γ'-solvus temperature is 1?005?°C. [001] single crystals of this alloy were solidified and tested for tension at different temperatures up to 1?000?°C. It was found that the Co-base alloy has a much lower yield stress than a corresponding Ni-base alloy, but a much higher ductility. The partitioning behaviour of the alloying elements in the Co-base alloy and the deformation mechanisms were investigated by scanning and transmission electron microscopy.
The advent of simultaneous energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) data collection has vastly improved the phase separation capabilities for electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) mapping. A major problem remains, however, in distinguishing between multiple cubic phases in a specimen, especially when the compositions of the phases are similar or their particle sizes are small because the EDS interaction volume is much larger than that of EBSD, and the EDS spectra collected during spatial mapping are generally noisy due to time limitations and the need to minimize sample drift. The backscatter electron (BSE) signal is very sensitive to the local composition due to its atomic number (Z) dependence. BSE imaging is investigated as a complimentary tool to EDS to assist phase segmentation and identification in EBSD through examination of specimens of meteorite, Cu dross, and steel oxidation layers. The results demonstrate that the simultaneous acquisition of EBSD patterns, EDS spectra, and the BSE signal can provide new potential for advancing multiphase material characterization in the scanning electron microscope.
Automated electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) is generally unable to distinguish between multiple cubic phases in a specimen without additional information, such as that obtained by simultaneous energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Small particles of phases with relatively similar compositions push the limits of phase identification using simultaneous EBSD and EDS, and a mismatch exists between the spatial resolutions of these two techniques due to them having different electron interaction volumes. In a recent paper, the present authors explored using backscatter detectors mounted on top of the EBSD detector to obtain atomic number (Z) contrast images that could be used for phase segmentation in cases where the results from the EBSD and EDS signals remain ambiguous. In the present work, we show that similar information can be obtained from the raw EBSD patterns themselves at higher spatial resolution than was obtained from the backscatter detectors, with the additional advantage of having no spatial mismatch between the data collection grids.
We demonstrate an approach to overcome Kikuchi pattern misindexing problems caused by crystallographic pseudosymmetry in electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) measurements. Based on the quantitative comparison of experimentally measured Kikuchi patterns with dynamical electron diffraction simulations, the algorithm identifies the best-fit orientation from a set of pseudosymmetric candidates. Using measurements on framboidal pyrite (FeS2) as an example, we also show the improvement of the orientation precision using this approach.
Dynamical simulation of electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) patterns of imperfect crystals
(2012)
EBSD is nowadays a common technique for the characterization of crystalline microstructures in scanning electron microscopy. The diffraction patterns are often interpreted by superimposing individual Kikuchi bands which are geometrically described by band edges derived from Braggs law. For the typically very simple crystal structures of technically applied materials, such a simplification of the Kikuchi pattern interpretation works sufficiently well, especially for orientation determinations as a main application of EBSD. The more complex crystal structures, however, are a challenge for EBSD indexing routines which in such cases often fail unpredictably. The use of only the intensities of single reflectors for a description of the Kikuchi band intensity and as a cut-off criterion for a pre-selection of the strongest bands are not satisfactory. Often the result will match too many phases, or there are certain deviations in the intensity prediction which must be adapted manually. This is already problematic if one is absolutely sure that the patterns are originating from the expected phase and it becomes a very questionable procedure for an unknown phase.
Kikuchi diffraction patterns can provide fundamental information about the lattice metric of a crystalline phase. In order to improve the possible precision and accuracy of lattice parameter determination from the features observed in Kikuchi patterns, some useful fundamental relationships of geometric crystal-lography are reviewed, which hold true independently of the actual crystal symmetry. The Kikuchi band positions and intersections and the Kikuchi band widths are highly interrelated, which is illustrated by the fact that all lattice plane trace positions of the crystal are predetermined by the definition of only four traces. If, additionally, the projection centre of the gnomonic projection is known, the lattice parameter ratios and the angles between the basis vectors are fixed. A further definition of one specific Kikuchi band width is sufficient to set the absolute sizes of all lattice parameters and to predict the widths of all Kikuchi bands. The mathematical properties of the gnomonic projection turn out to be central to an improved interpretation of Kikuchi pattern data, emphasizing the importance of the exact knowledge of the projection centre.
We discuss the application of EBSD for the analysis of structural features of magnetite and hematite relevant in the topotactic growth of both phases. The orientation relationships of both phases are investigated using characteristically related sets of Kikuchi patterns, which were collected from topotactically intergrown hematite variants and their parent magnetite crystal grain. We address the hexagonal description of trigonal and cubic phases with respect to crystallographic relationships. The combination of locally resolved EBSD measurements and microstructural investigations thus offers a promising opportunity to evaluate orientation relationships and intergrowth between magnetite and hematite.
The locally varying tetragonality in martensite grains of a high-carbon steel (1.2 mass percent C) was resolved by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) with a spatial resolution in the order of 100 nm. Compared to spatially integrating X-ray diffraction, which yielded an average tetragonality fo c/a=1.05, the EBSD measurements in the scanning electron microscope allowed to image a local variation of the lattice papameter ration c/a in the range of 1.02 ≤ c/a ≤ 1.07. The local variation of tetragonality is confirmed by two different EBSD data analysis approaches based on the fitting of simulated to experimental EBSD patterns. The resulting EBSD-based tetragonality maps are pointing to a complex interaction of carbon concentration and local lattice distortions during the formation process of martensitic structures.
Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) is a technique to obtain microcrystallographic information from materials by collecting large-angle Kikuchi patterns in the scanning electron microscope (SEM). An important fundamental question concerns the scattering-angle dependent electron energy distribution, which is relevant for the formation of the Kikuchi diffraction patterns. Here we review the existing experimental data and explore the effective energy spectrum that is operative in the generation of backscatter Kikuchi patterns from silicon. We use a full pattern comparison of experimental data with dynamical electron diffraction simulations. Our energy-dependent cross-correlation based pattern matching approach establishes improved constraints on the effective Kikuchi pattern energy spectrum, which is relevant for high-resolution EBSD pattern simulations and their applications.
An extensive set of information about the diffracting volume is carried by EBSD patterns: the crystal lattice, the reciprocal lattice, the crystal structure, the crystal symmetry, the mean periodic number of the diffracting phase, the source point from where it has been projected (projection centre), the crystal orientation, the sample topography (local tilt), the (preparation) quality of defect density of the crystal, and possible pattern overlaps. Some of this information is used regularly in conventional EBSD analyses software while others are still waiting for a more widespread application. Despite the wealth of information available, the accuracy and precision of the data that are presently extracted from conventional EBSD patterns are often well below the actual physical limits. Using a selection of example applications, we will demonstrate the gain in angular resolution possible using relatively low-resolution patterns of approximately 20k pixels in combination with pattern matching (PM) approaches. In this way, fine details in a microstructure can be revealed which would otherwise be hidden in the orientation noise.
Investigation of the orientation relationships of carlsbergite in the North Chile iron meteorite
(2005)
The crystallographic orientation of carlsbergite (CrN) in the north Chile meteorite (hexahedrite) was investigated using electron backscatter diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. These studies examined the CrN crystals in the rhabdites (idiomorphic schreibersite) and in kamacite. It was found that the CrN crystals embedded in rhabdite show a number of different orientation relationships with the host crystals. These orientations can be explained based on the lattice dimensions of both coexisting crystalline materials. It was also found that both carlsbergite and kamacite are characterized by a high dislocation density (109 cm2) while rhabdite is free of dislocations. It is supposed that in spite of the deformed metallic matrix, a general connection between the orientation relation of all the phases involved exists.
A new software is presented for the determination of crystal lattice parameters from the positions and widths of Kikuchi bands in a diffraction pattern. Starting with a single wide-angle Kikuchi pattern of arbitrary resolution and unknown phase, the traces of all visibly diffracting lattice planes are manually derived from four initial Kikuchi band traces via an intuitive graphical user interface. A single Kikuchi bandwidth is then used as reference to scale all reciprocal lattice point distances. Kikuchi band detection, via a filtered Funk transformation, and simultaneous display of the band intensity profile helps users to select band positions and widths. Bandwidths are calculated using the first derivative of the band profiles as excess-deficiency effects have minimal influence. From the reciprocal lattice, the metrics of possible Bravais lattice types are derived for all crystal systems. The measured lattice parameters achieve a precision of <1%, even for good quality Kikuchi diffraction patterns of 400 x 300 pixels. This band-edge detection approach has been validated on several hundred experimental diffraction patterns from phases of different symmetries and random orientations. It produces a systematic lattice parameter offset of up to ±4%, which appears to scale with the mean atomic number or the backscatter coefficient.
A pseudosymmetric description of the crystal lattice derived from a single wideangle Kikuchi pattern can have several causes. The small size (<15%) of the sector covered by an electron backscatter diffraction pattern, the limited precision of the projection centre position and the Kikuchi band definition are crucial. Inherent pseudosymmetries of the crystal lattice and/or structure also pose a challenge in the analysis of Kikuchi patterns. To eliminate experimental errors as much as possible, simulated Kikuchi patterns of 350 phases have been analysed using the software CALM [Nolze et al. (2021). J. Appl. Cryst. 54, 1012–1022] in order to estimate the frequency of and reasons for pseudosymmetric crystal lattice descriptions. Misinterpretations occur in particular when the atomic scattering factors of non-equivalent positions are too similar and reciprocal-lattice points are systematically missing. As an example, a pseudosymmetry prediction depending on the elements involved is discussed for binary AB compounds with B1 and B2 structure types. However, since this is impossible for more complicated phases, this approach cannot be directly applied to compounds of arbitrary composition and structure.
The derivation of a crystal structure and its phase-specific parameters from a single wide-angle backscattered Kikuchi diffraction pattern requires reliable extraction of the Bragg angles. By means of the first derivative of the lattice profile, an attempt is made to determine fully automatically and reproducibly the band widths in simulated Kikuchi patterns. Even under such ideal conditions (projection centre, wavelength and lattice plane traces are perfectly known), this leads to a lattice parameter distribution whose mean shows a linear offset that correlates with the mean atomic number Z of the pattern-forming phase. The consideration of as many Kikuchi bands as possible reduces the errors that typically occur if only a single band is analysed. On the other hand, the width of the resulting distribution is such that higher image resolution of diffraction patterns, employing longer wavelengths to produce wider bands or the use of higher interference orders is less advantageous than commonly assumed.
A band width determination using the first derivative of the band profile systematically underestimates the true Bragg angle. Corrections are proposed to compensate for the resulting offset Δa/a of the mean lattice parameters derived from as many Kikuchi band widths as possible. For dynamically simulated Kikuchi patterns, Δa/a can reach up to 8% for phases with a high mean atomic number Z, whereas for much more common low-Z materials the offset decreases linearly. A predicted offset Δa/a = f(Z) is therefore proposed, which also includes the unit-cell volume and thus takes into account the packing density of the scatterers in the material. Since Z is not always available for unknown phases, its substitution by Zmax, i.e. the atomic number of the heaviest element in the compound, is still acceptable for an approximate correction. For simulated Kikuchi patterns the offset-corrected lattice parameter deviation is Δa/a < 1.5%. The lattice parameter ratios, and the angles α, β and γ between the basis vectors, are not affected at all.1.5%. The lattice parameter ratios, and the angles , and between the basis vectors, are not affected at all.
A historical tool for crystallographic analysis is provided by the Hilton net, which can be used for manually surveying the crystal lattice as it is manifested by the Kikuchi bands in a gnomonic projection. For a quantitative analysis using the Hilton net, the projection centre as the relative position of the signal source with respect to the detector plane needs to be known. Interplanar angles are accessible with a precision and accuracy which is estimated to be ≤0.3o. Angles between any directions, e.g. zone axes, are directly readable. Finally, for the rare case of an unknown projection-centre position, its determination is demonstrated by adapting an old approach developed for photogrammetric applications.
It requires the indexing of four zone axes [uvw]i in a backscattered Kikuchi diffraction pattern of a known phase collected under comparable geometric conditions.
Gold and platinum-group-metals (PGM) are cycled through Earth's environments by interwoven geological, physical, chemical and biological processes leading to the trans/neoformation of metallic particles in placers.
The placer deposit at Corrego Bom Successo (CBS, Brazil) is one of the few localities worldwide containing secondary gold- and PGM-particles. Placer gold consists of detrital particles from nearby hydrothermal deposits that were transformed in the surface environment. Processes that have affected these particles include shortdistance transport, chemical de-alloying of the primary Gold silver, and (bio)geochemical dissolution/reprecipitation of Gold leading to the formation of pure, secondary gold and the Dispersion of gold nanoparticles. The latter processes are likely mediated by non-living organic matter (OM) and bacterial biofilms residing on the particles. The biofilms are largely composed of metallophillic β- and γ-Proteobacteria. Abundant mobile gold and platinum nanoparticles were detected in surface waters, suggesting similar mobilities of these metals. Earlier hydrothermal processes have led to the formation of coarsely-crystalline, arborescent dendritic potarite (PdHg). On potarite surfaces, biogeochemical processes have then led to the formation of platinum- and palladium-rich micro-crystalline layers, which make up the botryoidal platinum palladium aggregates. Subsequently potarite was dissolved from the core of many aggregates leaving voids now often filled by secondary anatase (TiO2) containing biophilic elements. The presence of fungal structures associated with the anatase suggests that fungi may have contributed to ist formation. For the first time a primary magmatic PGM-particle comprising a mono-crystalline platinum palladium-alloy with platinum iridium osmium inclusions was described from this locality, finally defining a possible primary source for the PGM mineralisation. In conclusion, the formation of modern-day placer gold- and PGM-particles at CBS began 100s ofmillions of years ago bymagmatic and hydrothermal processes. These provided the metal sources for more recent biogeochemical cycling of PGEs and gold that led to the trans/neoformation of gold- and PGM-particles.
Meteorites are a unique and inspiring material for microstructural studies because if their very specific genesis. Iron meteorites have been formed under unimaginable cooling rates of a few ten Kelvins per million years so that the observable transformation of the formerly huge Fe-Ni single crystals of taenite occurred under nearly-equilibrium conditions. Octahedrites (meteorites having a Ni content between 6...15%) are characterized by ribbons of the low-temperature Fe-Ni phase kamacite separated by rims of residual taenite. This very specific feature is known as Widmanstaetten structure and has been investigated by synchrotron radiation in order to cover a higher volume fraction for a statistically relevant description of orientation relationships. However, plessite – a microstructure mainly consisting of the same phases – reflects the orientation relationship between kamacite and taenite as well. For their characterization, a scanning electron microscope is very suitable in order to investigate crystal orientations or identify phases. Despite the apparently ideal formation circumstances of iron meteorites, Ni concentration profiles prove non-equilibrium conditions. Combined EDS (energy dispersive spectroscopy) and EBSD (electron backscatter diffraction) measurements at a selected plessitic region of the Cape York iron shows that a correlation exists between Ni-concentration and the locally detected orientation relationship.
Since the BSE signal depends on many factors, like the chemistry of the phase and the acceleration voltage, the size and position of the detector array is (slightly) different from phase to phase so that an (iterative) post-processing of the stored patterns is highly recommended. The derived BSE signal can be used for phase assignment in high resolution and high speed maps when EBSD fails and/or EDS (energy dispersive spectroscopy) needs too much time for a suitable and parallel signal acquisition.
The macro- and microstructure of iron meteorites provide valuable insights into both the inner structure of our planet and the history of our solar system. High speed collision events in the asteroid belt send the meteorites careening toward Earth. The collisions produce unique deformation microstructures. With cooling rates on the scale of a few degrees per million years, iron meteorites can consist of crystal sizes on the order of meters prior to the collision events. These extremely slow cooling rates result in phase transformations occurring at conditions near thermodynamic equilibrium. Preserving meteorite fragments is important for future studies of phase transformations, material behavior at high strain rates, and the origin of the universe.
PowderCell 2.0 for Windows
(1998)
PowderCell contains a comfortable, user friendly visualization and modification tool for crystal structures. It provides on-line calculation of the corresponding powder diffraction patterns simulating a variety of experimental conditions. The common ICSD and Shelx file formats are supported for importing crystal structure information. It has control of automatic cell transformation and also derivation of subgroups. More than 740 different settings of the 230 space-group types are supported. Up to ten crystal structures can be considered simultaneously. A full pattern refinement enables the direct comparison with experimental diffractograms for quantitative phase analysis, lattice parameter refinement, polynomial background estimation, etc.
We use pattern matching of experimental and dynamically simulated backscattered Kikuchi diffraction (BKD) patterns to increase the orientation precision of electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) measurements. In order to quantify the improvement in orientation precision, we analyze the experimental distribution of the kernel average misorientation (KAM) angles. We find that for the same raw data, i.e. the same EBSD data acquisition time budget, the pattern matching approach improves the KAM resolution by an order of magnitude compared to orientation data delivered from the conventional Hough-transform based data analysis. This quantitative improvement enables us to interpret small orientation changes in plastically deformed materials which are hidden in noisy orientation data delivered from the reference EBSD system.
As an application example, we analyze a ferritic-martensitic steel (P92) sample before and after low-cycle fatigue (LCF) loading (±0.3% strain) at 620 °C. Whereas the low precision of the EBSD orientation data from the manufacturer software does not allow a reliable discrimination of the gradually changing microstructure, we find very clear systematic differences of the local microstructure after the pattern matching orientation refinement of the initial, raw pattern data. For the investigated P92 sample, the KAM-angle histograms are well described by two log-normal distributions indicating the already tempered and the remaining and mostly untempered martensite.
We present special applications of electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) which aim to overcome some of the limitations of this technique as it is currently applied in the scanning electron microscope. We stress that the raw EBSD signal carries additional information which is useful beyond the conventional orientation determination. The background signal underlying the backscattered Kikuchi diffraction (BKD) patterns reflects the chemical composition and surface topography but also contains channeling-in information which is used for qualitative real-time orientation imaging using various backscattered electron signals. A significantly improved orientation precision can be achieved when dynamically simulated pattern are matched to the experimental BKD patterns. The breaking of Friedel’s rule makes it possible to obtain orientation mappings with respect to the point-group symmetries. Finally, we discuss the
determination of lattice parameters from individual BKD
patterns. Subgrain structure in a single quartz grain. The increased noise level in the left map reflects the lower precision of a standard orientation determination using band detection by the Hough transform. The right map results from the same experimental raw data after orientation refinement using a pattern matching approach. The colors correspond an adapted inverse pole figure color key with a maximum angular deviation of about 2° from the mean orientation.
The inverse pole figure (IPF) coloring for a suitable evaluation of crystal
orientation data is discussed. The major goal is a high correlation between
encoding color and crystal orientation. Revised color distributions of the
fundamental sectors are introduced which have the advantages of (1) being
applicable for all point groups, (2) not causing color discontinuities within grains,
(3) featuring carefully balanced regions for red, cyan, blue, magenta, green and
yellow, and (4) an enlarged gray center in opposition to a tiny white center. A
new set of IPF color keys is proposed which is the result of a thorough analysis
of the colorization problem. The discussion considers several topics: (a) the
majority of presently applied IPF color keys generate color discontinuities for
specifically oriented grains; (b) if a unique correlation between crystal direction
and color is requested, discontinuity-preventing keys are possible for all point
groups, except for 4, 3 and 1; (c) for a specific symmetry group several IPF color
keys are available, visualizing different features of a microstructure; and (d) for
higher symmetries a simultaneous IPF mapping of two or three standard
reference directions is insufficient for an unequivocal orientation assignment.
All color keys are available in MTEX, a freely available MATLAB toolbox.
Roaldite – Fe4N – has been identified in the São Julião de Moreira iron meteorite using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and simultaneously acquired energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Mean-periodic-number images derived from raw EBSD patterns confirm this phase by an even higher spatial resolution compared to EDS.
Roaldite appears in the form of systematically and repetitively aligned plates. Despite the locally heavy plastic deformation, it is shown that the origin of the oriented precipitation of roaldite is linked to the orientation of the kamacite matrix. Roaldite can be considered to be precipitated from kamacite using an inverse Kurdjumov-Sachs (K-S) or Nishiyama-Wassermann (N-W) orientation relationship. A more accurate discrimination is impossible due to the accumulated shock deformation, which blurs the local reference orientation of kamacite. The habit plane of roaldite is found to be {112}R, which is most likely parallel to {120}K of kamacite. Some of the roaldite plates contain two orientation variants which repeatedly alternate. Their misorientation angle is about 12°.
The Bravais lattices and their lattice parameters are blindly determined using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) patterns of materials with cubic or tetragonal crystal structures. Since the geometric relationships in a single EBSD pattern are overdetermined, the relative errors of determining the lattice parameters as well as the axial ratios are confined to about 0.7 ± 0.4% and 0.07 ± 0.03%, respectively, for ideal simulated EBSD patterns. The accuracy of the crystal orientation determination reaches about 0.06 ± 0.03°. With careful manual band detection, the accuracy of determining lattice parameters from experimental patterns can be as good as from simulated patterns, although the results from simulated patterns are often better than expermental patterns, which are lower quality and contain uncertain systematic errors. The reasonably high accuracy is obtained primarily because the detection of the diffracting-plane traces and zone axes is relatively accurate. The results here demonstrate that the developed procedure based on the EBSD technique presents a reliable tool for crystallographic characterization of the Bravais lattices of unknown phases.
Different models of Kikuchi pattern formation are compared with respect to their applicability to noncentrosymmetric crystals, and the breakdown of Friedel's rule in experimental electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) patterns is discussed. Different AIIIBV semiconductor materials are used to evaluate the resulting asymmetry of Kikuchi band profiles for polar lattice planes. By comparison with the characteristic etch pit morphology on a single-crystal surface, the polar character of the measured lattice planes can be assigned absolutely. The presented approach enables point-group-resolved orientation mapping, which goes beyond the commonly applied Laue group analysis in EBSD.
The suitability of the electron back-scatter diffraction technique (supported by EDS) in order to study the complex microstructures of iron meteorites is demonstrated on the example of the Watson meteorite. The orientation relationships between the main phases kamacite, taenite and schreibersite/rhabdite as well as effects of the real structure have been investigated. In kamacite bands highly deformed blocks appear which show a contineous change of orientation. Plessitic regions are surrounded by deformed taenite lamellae. Also these lamellae show the typical M-profile of the Ni concentration in cross section. In the center a martensitic microstructure has been proven. The white plessite is characterized by a high number of individual kamacite grains which however are separated mainly by low-angle boundaries. So an orientation clustering occurs. The determination of orientation relationships was only possible for a single plessite region comparing the intensity distribution in pole figures with simulations. Schreibersite is brittle and shows a high number of microcracks. However, the strong deformation of kamacite does not allow us to decide whether an orientation relationship between the phosphides and the surrounding kamacite exists or not.
The orientation relationship (OR) between the bcc and fcc phase in the plessite microstructure of the iron meteorites Watson, Agpalilik and Gibeon has been analysed in a scanning electron microscope using electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD). A very strong OR exists, independently on the analysed plessite type and the observed spreading of single orientation data. The agreement between the experimental orientation distribution and existing models varies for each meteorite. The black plessite in the Agpalilik corresponds to the Nishiyama-Wassermann model whereas the Duplex plessite of the Gibeon meteorite shows an OR close to the Kurdjumov-Sachs model. The Watson meteorite is strongly deformed so that a general OR is difficult to determine due to the blurred experimental orientation distribution.
The work focuses on the potential of structural and chemical examinations by scanning electron microscopy based methods for archaeometric studies on ceramics. Achieved by a single preparation technique (polished block sections), the feasibility and benefits of electron backscatter diffraction are demonstrated as case studies using polychrome examples of pre-Columbian pottery (Wari, Moche and Cajamarca). Elemental and phase maps allow for separate consideration of clay and temper. Identification of mineral phases and intergrowths of temper particles provide information for clarifying clay procurement and firing techniques with respect to local versus non-local pottery to enlighten trade relations, technological transfer and shared heritage of pre-Columbian cultures.
EBSD-Aplikationen in der BAM
(2002)
The high sample tilt angle commonly necessary for an orientation determination by EBSD (electron back-scatter diffraction) is responsible for some simple geometrically caused, but nevertheless essential, image distortions. First of all, the influence of the tilt correction and also the trapezium distortion which appears at low magnifications will be discussed. In the second part, an additional rhomboidal distortion will be introduced which is independent of the magnification used. This distortion appears if the scanned sample surface is out of plane to the tilted stage. Even a small deviation from the parallelity produces an approximately three times bigger error of the Euler angle φ1 when the sample alignment is based on the image captured from the highly tilted sample. This effect especially
concerns small samples (e.g. FIB-lamellae) since they cannot be exactly aligned, but the measurements of bigger samples can also be influenced. As an example a correction procedure is described in detail, based on a repetition of the measurement after a 180° sample rotation.
Investigation on laser clads
(2005)
Phase identification by EBSD
(2005)
Phase identification by EBSD
(2005)
Characterization of the fcc/bcc orientation relationship by EBSD using pole figures and variants
(2004)
The orientation relationship (OR) between fcc and bcc lattices are described by crystallographic fundamentals using the example of Kurdjumov-Sachs (K-S) and Nishiyama-Wassermann (N-W). Complete pole figures containing all variants will be used to distinguish even between slightly different ORs. EBSD on iron meteorites and duplex steel has been used to analyse a large number of crystal orientations with regard to a high statistical significance and a high probability to capture all variants in a single measurement. It is shown that the use of fixed OR models like K-S, N-W, Bain, Pitsch, or Greninger-Troiano does not satisfacturally reflect the observed experimental pole distributions. It is not convenient to use high-indexed lattice planes and directions to describe the small deviations from the given models. The Euler subspace representation offers a readily comprehensible tool to get an idea about the characteristic of the experimentally detected OR.
Improved determination of fcc/bcc orientation relationships by use of high indexed-pole figures
(2006)
The use of variants to analyze fcc/bcc orientation relationships is demonstrated by EBSD data. Because of multiply occupied poles in the stereographic projections low indexed pole figures are not always suitable. This is mostly caused by the convolution of all scattered individual orientation data as the single poles cannot resolved in the pole figure. Pole figures of higher indexed lattice planes more reliably reflect the character of the orientation relationship since no overlapping of poles occurs.