EBSD: a powerful microstructure analysis technique in the field of solidification

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Crystallography
• Solidification Science

Background:

• Understanding solidification processes is crucial for material properties.
• Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) is a powerful tool for microstructural analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the application of EBSD in studying solidification phenomena.
• To investigate texture evolution, grain selection, and microstructural formation in various alloy systems.

Main Methods:

• Directional solidification of Al-Zn alloys.
• Analysis of Zn-Al and Al-Zn-Si coatings.
• Study of Cu-Sn peritectic system.
• Utilizing Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) for microstructural and crystallographic analysis.

Main Results:

• Observed a shift in dendrite growth direction from <100> to <110> with increasing zinc content in Al-Zn samples.
• Identified twinned dendrites with a (111) twin plane in Al-X alloys.
• Revealed preferential basal orientation in Zn-Al coatings and reinforcement by <1010> dendrite growth.
• Measured significant intra-granular misorientations in Al-Zn-Si coatings.
• Characterized the continuous network microstructure in Cu-Sn peritectic system and confirmed Kurdjumov-Sachs relationship between alpha and beta phases.

Conclusions:

• EBSD effectively elucidates complex solidification behaviors and microstructural evolution.
• The study provides insights into crystallographic relationships and texture development during solidification.
• EBSD is invaluable for detailed characterization of metallic coatings and alloys.