The characterization of microstructures in three dimensions is reviewed, with an emphasis on the use of automated electron backscatter diffraction techniques. Both statistical reconstruction of polycrystalline structures from multiple cross sections and reconstruction from parallel, serial sections are discussed. In addition, statistical reconstruction of second-phase particle microstructures f...

Partially recrystallized samples of 5352 aluminum alloy and pure titanium were sectioned and characterized with automated electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) in a scanning electron microscope. Pixels were partitioned into recrystallized (annealed state) and unrecrystallized (deformed state) using a criterion based on the confidence index (CI) and the diffraction pattern quality (IQ). Unrecr...

We present a model which describes the appearance of excess and deficiency features in electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) patterns and we show how to include this effect in many-beam dynamical simulations of EBSD. The excess and deficiency features appear naturally if we take into account the anisotropy of the internal source of inelastically scattered electrons which are subsequently scat...

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...

Flash processing is a new heat treatment process being developed to produce steel with relatively high strength and ductility. It involves rapidly heating steel sheet or strip to a temperature in the austenite range and quenching; the entire thermal cycle takes place within 15 seconds. The resulting microstructure is fine and difficult to resolve using standard metallographic techniques. In thi...

In electron scattering from crystals, diffraction spots are replaced by Kikuchi patterns at high momentum transfer. Kikuchi pattern formation is based on the concept of effective incoherent electron sources (or detectors) inside a crystal. The resulting incoherence is a consequence of energy transfer connected with the momentum transfer in large-angle scattering events. We identify atomic recoi...