Services

EBSD Analytical offers complete micro-structural analysis services for scientists and researchers worldwide. With over 25 years experience preparing and analyzing thousands of EBSD samples, we are confident we can meet your analysis needs. Turn around times are quick and accurate results are guaranteed. Our goal is to consistently exceed customers’ expectations.  The following services are offered:

Texture Analysis

Texture analysis is the procedure by which the distribution of crystallographic orientations in a polycrystalline materials is analyzed, and is at the heart of what EBSD can offer materials scientists and researchers.  Material properties can be correlated to its texture, and the understanding of such relationships can help the researcher improve the qualities of such materials.  Historically texture analysis was developed for orientation distribution data collected from X-Ray or neutron diffraction pole figures.  One advantage of EBSD is that the orientation of each data point collected is point specific, and orientation maps of the scanned surface can be generated and compared directly to the associated pole and inverse pole figures.  The following image shows a cross section of a Ta sample with its associated Pole and Inverse Slide46 Slide41Pole figures.Slide1

Grain Size Distribution

Grain  size calculation and distribution charts can be generated easily once EBSD data has been collected.  Individual data points of similar orientation are grouped together to form grains.  Both the minimum grain size as well as the grain tolerance angle are defined by the user.  EBSD has the distinct advantage of ‘seeing’ grains that are much too small to be seen by optical microscopy or even standard SEM techniques.  The following images show a highly textured piece of Copper with an average grain size diameter of 125nm.Slide1 Slide2 Slide3

EDS and EBSD

EDS data can be collected simultaneously with EBSD data to not only identify which elements are present and where, but to distinguish between phases that have the same crystallography but differ chemically.  The following images show a Copper/Tin sample with 4 distinct phases; Cubic Cu, Hexagonal Cu3Sn, Hexagonal Cu6Sn5, and Hexagonal AgSn.Slide29 Slide30Slide2 Slide3 Slide4

Phase Identification

EBSD is a powerful tool for differentiated between different phases within a sample.  EBSD easily distinguishes between different crystal structures as a scan is collected, and because it is point specific, maps can be generated showing the distribution of specific phases.  Austenite/Ferrite distributions are a common example.  In cases where 2 or more phases have similar crystallography, EDS can be used to further differentiate between the phases. (See EDS and EBSD).  The following images show an austenite matrix phase with very small M23C6 carbides dispersed throughout.Slide15 Slide16 Slide17

Advanced Texture

Along with providing standard Color Coded (IPF) maps, pole figures, and inverse pole figures, we can also provide more detailed texture analysis of your samples, including MDF plots, ODF plots, and quantitative crystal direction charts and maps.Slide1 Slide2

Grain Boundary

EBSD is a powerful tool for analyzing grain boundaries.  The misorientation between neighboring data points can be measured accurately to within less than 0.5 degrees.  Grain boundary tolerance angles can be defined by the user, and different ranges or types of boundaries can be simultaneously plotted.  A common analysis is to compare low-angle, high-angle, and CSL or special types of boundaries.  Below is an example of a Grain Boundary Character Distribution Chart with the colored boundaries highlighted on an image quality map of a Nickel based super-alloy.  It shows 7.1% low-angle, 38.6% CSL, and 54.3% high-angle boundaries.Slide1 Slide2

Stress and Strain Analysis

Residual strain effects most aspects of material performance. Using the technique of High Angular Resolution EBSD (HR EBSD) we are able to measure micro and nano-level stress and strain within the sample.  CrossCourt4 by BLG Vantage applies cross correlation techniques to the EBSD pattern to measure sub-pixel movement of the Kikuchi bands.  This allows precise measurement of residual elastic and plastic strain at the sub-micron level.  Results include strain and stress maps, rotations and GND’s.  An example of the results of cross correlation and just how much more information is revealed is illustrated below by comparing a standard, Hough based KAM map with an HR KAM map produced by CrossCourt4.   For more detailed information on this technique please visit the BLG Vantage website.  We are pleased to now offer HR EBSD services here at EBSD Analytical.

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