Analysis of Orange Peel Defect in St14 Steel Sheet by Electron Backscattered Diffraction (EBSD)

In this paper, the orange peel defect in the surface range of the st14 steel sheet has been investigated using the electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) technique. It has been found that the orange peel defect in the st14 steel sheet was resulted from the local coarse grains which were produced during hot-rolling due to the critical deformation in dual-phase zone. During deep drawing, the coarse grains with {100}<001> microtexture can slip on the {112}<111> slip system to form bulging and yields orange peel defects, while the coarse grains with {112}<110> orientation do not form the defect as the Schmid factor of {112}<111> slip system in it equals zero.

Crystallographic Characteristic of Intermetallic Compounds in Al-Si-Mg Casting Alloys Using Electron Backscatter Diffraction

The Al-Si-Mg alloy which can be strengthened by heat treatment is widely applied to the key components of aerospace and aeronautics. Iron-rich intermetallic compounds are well known to be strongly influential on mechanical properties in Al-Si-Mg alloys. But intermetallic compounds in cast Al-Si-Mg alloy intermetallics are often misidentified in previous metallurgical studies. It was described as many different compounds, such as AlFeSi, Al8Fe2Si, Al5（Fe, Mn）3Si2 and so on. For the purpose of solving this problem, the intermetallic compounds in cast Al-Si alloys containing 0.5% Mg were investigated in this study. The iron-rich compounds in Al-Si-Mg casting alloys were characterized by optical microscope（OM）, scanning electron microscope（SEM）, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer（EDS）, electron backscatter diffraction（EBSD） and X-ray powder diffraction（XRD）. The electron backscatter diffraction patterns were used to assess the crystallographic characteristics of intermetallic compounds. The compound which contains Fe/Mg-rich particles with coarse morphologies was Al8FeMg3Si6 in the alloy by using EBSD. The compound belongs to hexagonal system, space group P6_2m, with the lattice parameter a=0.662 nm, c=0.792 nm. The β-phase is indexed as tetragonal Al3FeSi2, space group I4/mcm, a=0.607 nm and c=0.950 nm. The XRD data indicate that Al8FeMg3Si6 and Al3FeSi2 are present in the microstructure of Al-7Si-Mg alloy, which confirms the identification result of EBSD. The present study identified the iron-rich compound in Al-Si-Mg alloy, which provides a reliable method to identify the intermetallic compounds in short time in Al-Si-Mg alloy. Study results are helpful for identification of complex compounds in alloys.

Electron backscatter diffraction investigation of duplex-phase microstructure in a forged Zr-2.5Nb alloy

Microstructural features of a duplex-phase Zr-2.5Nb alloy were investigated in detail using electron channeling contrast （ECC） imaging and electron backscatter diffraction （EBSD） technique in an emission gun scanning electron microscope （FEGSEM）. The excellent resolution provided by the FEGSEM promises the combined utilization of both techniques to be quite adequate for characterizing the duplex-phase microstructures. Results show that the microstructure of the Zr-2.5Nb alloy is composed of bulk a grains （majority） in equiaxed or plate shape and thin 13 films （minority） surrounding the bulk grains, with their average grain size and thickness measured to be 1.4 prn and 72 nm, respectively. Analyses on a-grain boundaries reveal a number of low angle boundaries, most of which belong to deformation-induced dislocation boundaries. Measurements on relative propor- tions of various Burgers boundaries suggest very weak （if any） variant selection during 13 ~ a cooling, which should be re- lated to deformation-induced higher nucleation rate of a phases. Compared to earlier attempts, more satisfactory indexing of fine β phases （down to nanoscale） is attained by the FEGSEM-based EBSD. Examples are presented to clearly reveal well-obeyed Burgers orientation relationships between adjacent α and β phases. Finally, it is deduced that continuing applica- tion of the FEGSEM-based EBSD to duplex-phase Zr alloys could help clarify controversies like the deformation priority of the two phases.

An Algorithm to Analyze Electron Backscatter Diffraction Data for Grain Reconstruction:from Methodology to Application

An algorithm for grain reconstruction based on electron backscatter diffraction data was proposed in this paper. This algorithm can well record the original data arrangement when an external file for the reconstructed grain（s） was exported for further post-processing. Assisted by an in-house MATLAB program, grain reconstruction, lattice rotations, orientation spreads, and slip system analysis can be performed. The validity of this algorithm has been successfully tested by polycrystalline Ni before and after channel die compression.

Crystallographic analysis of lath martensite in a 13Cr-5Ni steel by electron backscattering diffraction

Morphology observation and crystallographic analysis of lath martensite in 13Cr-5Ni steel were investigated by electron backscattering diffraction （EBSD） in a scanning electron microscope. The pole figures of the microstructure measured by EBSD showed that the martensite in this steel held the Kurdjumov-Sachs （K-S） orientation relationship, and the boundary misorientations after the austenite-martensite transformation were also analyzed. However, not all the 24 possible variants in the K-S relationship were observed in a single prior austenite grain. Sub-blocks with special combinations were observed, which can be explained by the minimization of the total shape strain between the adjacent variants introduced during the martensite transformation and relatively low carbon content in the 13Cr-5Ni steel.

Detection of Coaxial Backscattered Electrons in SEM

We present a coaxial detection of the backscattered electrons in SEM. The lens-aperture has been used to filter in energy and focus the backscattered electrons. This particular geometry allows us to eliminate the low energy backscattered electrons and collect the backscattered electrons, which are backscattered close to the incident beam orientation. The main advantage of this geometry is adapted to topographic contrast attenuation and atomic number contrast enhancement. Thus this new SEM is very suitable to analyze the material composition.

A MONTE CARLO SIMULATION OF SECONDARY ELECTRON AND BACKSCATTERED ELECTRON IMAGES IN SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY

A new parallel Monte Carlo simulation method of secondary electron (SE) and back scattered electron images (BSE) of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for a com plex geometric structure has been developed. This paper describes briefly the si mulation method and the modification to the conventional sampling method for the step length. Example simulation results have been obtained for several artifici al structures.

ENERGY DISTRIBUTION OF BACKSCATTERED ELECTRONS FROM HEAVY METALS

The full energy distribution of backscattered electrons from the elastic peak do wn to the true-secondary electron peak for heavy metals, Ta, W, Pt and Au, in Au ger electron spectroscopy in the EN(E) mode has been studied with a Monte Carlo simulation method, which includes cascade-secondary-electron production. The sim ulation model is based on the use of a dielectric function for describing inelas tic scattering and secondary excitation, and on the use of Mott cross sections f or elastic scattering. A systematic comparison between the calculated and experi mental spectra measured with a cylindrical mirror analyzer has been made for pri mary energies ranging from 1 to 5keV. Excellent agreement was obtained for these heavy metals on the backscattering background at primary energies in the keV re gion. A significant contribution of cascade secondary electrons to the measured spectra on the low-energy side was found.

Monte Carlo Simulation of the Coaxial Electrons Backscattering from Thin Films

By using the Monte Carlo method, we simulated the trajectories of coaxial backscattering electrons corresponding to a new type of scanning electron microscope. From the calculated results, we obtain a universal expression, which describes with good accuracy the backscattering coefficient versus film thickness under all conditions used. By measuring the coaxial backscattering coefficient and using this universal formula, the thickness of thin films can be determined if the composition is known.

Simulation of Secondary Electron and Backscattered Electron Emission in A6 Relativistic Magnetron Driven by Different Cathode

Prticle-in-cell（PIC） simulations demonstrated that,when the relativistic magnetron with diffraction output（MDO） is applied with a 410 kV voltage pulse,or when the relativistic magnetron with radial output is applied with a 350 kV voltage pulse,electrons emitted from the cathode with high energy will strike the anode block wall.The emitted secondary electrons and backscattered electrons affect the interaction between electrons and RF fields induced by the operating modes,which decreases the output power in the radial output relativistic magnetron by about 15%（10%for the axial output relativistic magnetron）,decreases the anode current by about 5%（5%for the axial output relativistic magnetron）,and leads to a decrease of electronic efficiency by 8%（6%for the axial output relativistic magnetron）.The peak value of the current formed by secondary and backscattered current equals nearly half of the amplitude of the anode current,which may help the growth of parasitic modes when the applied magnetic field is near the critical magnetic field separating neighboring modes.Thus,mode competition becomes more serious.

Design of an efficient collector for the HIAF electron cooling system

A collector with high perveance,efficient recu-peration,and low secondary emissions is required for the 450-keV electron cooler in the HIAF accelerator complex.To optimize the collection efficiency of the collector,a simulation program,based on the Monte Carlo simulations,was developed in the world’s first attempt to calculate the electron collection efficiency.In this program,the backscattering electrons and secondary electrons generated on the collector surface are calculated using a Monte Carlo approach,and all electron trajectories in the collector region are tracked by the Runge–Kutta method.In this paper,the features and structure of our program are described.The backscattering electron yields,with various collector surface materials,are calculated using our pro-gram.Moreover,the collector efficiencies for various col-lector structures and electromagnetic fields are simulated and optimized.The measurement results of the collection efficiency of the HIAF collector prototype and the CSRm synchrotron are also reported.These experimental results were in good agreement with the simulation results of our program.

Analysis of deformation mechanisms in magnesium single crystals using a dedicated four-point bending tester

In this study,we explored the deformation mechanisms of Mg single crystals using a combination of scanning electron microscopy and electron backscattered diffraction in conjunction with a dedicated four-point bending tester.We prepared two single-crystal samples,oriented along the<1120>and<1010>directions,to assess the mechanisms of deformation when the initial basal slip was suppressed.In the<1120>sample,the primary{1012}twin(T1)was confirmed along the<1120>direction of the sample on the compression side with an increase in bending stress.In the<1010>sample,T1 and the secondary twin(T2)were confirmed to be along the<1120>direction,with an orientation of±60°with respect to the bending stress direction,and their direction matched with(0001)in T1 and T2.This result implies that crystallographically,the basal slip occurs readily.In addition,the<1010>sample showed the double twin in T1 on the compression side and the tertiary twin along the<1010>direction on the tension side.These results demonstrated that the maximum bending stress and displacement changed significantly under the bend loading because the deformation mechanisms were different for these single crystals.Therefore,the correlation between bending behavior and twin orientation was determined,which would be helpful for optimizing the bending properties of Mg-based materials.

Residual elastic stress strain field and geometrically necessary dislocation density distribution around nano-indentation in TA15 titanium alloy

Nanoindentation and high resolution electron backscatter diffraction（EBSD） were combined to examine the elastic modulus and hardness of α and β phases,anisotropy in residual elastic stress strain fields and distributions of geometrically necessary dislocation（GND） density around the indentations within TA15 titanium alloy.The nano-indention tests were conducted on α and β phases,respectively.The residual stress strain fields surrounding the indentation were calculated through crosscorrelation method from recorded patterns.The GND density distribution around the indentation was calculated based on the strain gradient theories to reveal the micro-mechanism of plastic deformation.The results indicate that the elastic modulus and hardness for α p hase are 129.05 GPas and 6.44 GPa,while for β phase,their values are 109.80 GPa and 4.29 GPa,respectively.The residual Mises stress distribution around the indentation is relatively heterogeneous and significantly influenced by neighboring soft β phase.The region with low residual stress around the indentation is accompanied with markedly high a type and prismatic-GND density.

Grain refinement of magnesium alloys processed by severe plastic deformation

Grain refinement of AZ31 Mg alloy during cyclic extrusion compression （CEC） at 225-400 ℃ was investigated quantitatively by electron backscattering diffraction （EBSD）. Results show that an ultrafine grained microstructure of AZ31 alloy is obtained only after 3 passes of CEC at 225 ℃. The mean misorientation and the fraction of high angle grain boundaries （HAGBs） increase gradually by lowering extrusion temperature. Only a small fraction of {101^-2} twinning is observed by EBSD in AZ31 Mg alloys after 3 passes of CEC. Schmid factors calculation shows that the most active slip system is pyramidal slip {101^-1}〈1120〉and basal slip {0001}〈1120〉 at 225-350 ℃ and 400 ℃, respectively. Direct evidences at subgrain boundaries support the occurrence of continuous dynamic recrystallization （CDRX） mechanism in grain refinement of AZ31 Mg alloy processed by CEC.

Application of EBSD technique to ultrafine grained and nanostructured materials processed by severe plastic deformation:Sample preparation, parameters optimization and analysis

With the help of FESEM, high resolution electron backscatter diffraction can investigate the grains/subgrains as small as a few tens of nanometers with a good angular resolution （~0.5°）. Fast development of EBSD speed （up to 1100 patterns per second） contributes that the number of published articles related to EBSD has been increasing sharply year by year. This paper reviews the sample preparation, parameters optimization and analysis of EBSD technique, emphasizing on the investigation of ultrafine grained and nanostructured materials processed by severe plastic deformation （SPD）. Detailed and practical parameters of the electropolishing, silica polishing and ion milling have been summarized. It is shown that ion milling is a real universal and promising polishing method for EBSD preparation of almost all materials. There exists a maximum value of indexed points as a function of step size. The optimum step size depends on the magnification and the board resolution/electronic step size. Grains/subgrains and texture, and grain boundary structure are readily obtained by EBSD. Strain and stored energy may be analyzed by EBSD.

Wireless Preamplifier for the Specimen Current Mode Detector in a SEM

Using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) in the back-scattered electron (BSE) mode the composition of multi-element specimens may be determined based on the strong dependence of emission coefficient η on the average atomic number of elements Z. The output video signal of the usual BSE detectors is produced from their sensors, and the larger proportion of high-energy electrons with modified spectrum is added. Since η = is/ip (is and ip currents of specimen and probe), better accuracy must be achieved by direct measurements those currents on the specimen surface. Here, an experimental model of a current detector for a presented specimen is described. The cage is mounted on the carousel of the moving specimen stage. The input of the preamplifier is connected to the specimen holder in the form of a disk, the diameter of which is 12 mm. When the probe along its surface scanned, the input potential begins to pulsate with a negative polarity. The output of this preamplifier is connected to a small light-emitting diode, which creates intensity-modulated radiation in the chamber. Thus created the light video signal will be picked up by the photomultiplier of the E-T detector. The modes of true SE and BSE are set by applying tens bias volts of various polarities to the specimens or the cage itself.

Mechanical properties and texture evolution during hot rolling of AZ31 magnesium alloy

Mechanical properties and texture evolutions of the as-rolled AZ31 Mg sheets were investigated.The results show that the grains of the sheets are significantly refined after hot rolling.The mechanical properties of the as-rolled samples are enhanced due to the grain size refinement.The intensity of basal texture decreases with the increase of deformation ratio,and double-peak type basal texture is discovered in the intermediate and large strain hot rolling processes.The formation of the texture is ascribed to the activities of prismatic and non-basalslips,which is the same as the 30%rolled and 50%rolled samples.The incline of basal planes exerts an effect on the mechanical anisotropy during tension along rolling direction(RD)and transverse direction(TD)at room temperature.

Microstructure and mechanical properties characterization of AA6061/TiC aluminum matrix composites synthesized by in situ reaction of silicon carbide and potassium fluotitanate

Aluminum alloys AA6061 reinforced with various amounts （0, 2.5% and 5%, mass fraction） of TiC particles were synthesized by the in situ reaction of inorganic salt K2TiF6 and ceramic particle SiC with molten aluminum. The casting was carried out at an elevated temperature and held for a longer duration to decompose SiC to release carbon atoms. X-ray diffraction patterns of the prepared AMCs clearly revealed the formation of TiC particles without the occurrence of any other intermetallic compounds. The microstructure of the prepared AA6061/TiC AMCs was studied using field emission scanning electron microscope （FESEM） and electron backscatter diffraction （EBSD）. The in situ formed TiC particles were characterized with homogeneous distribution, clear interface, good bonding and various shapes such as cubic, spherical and hexagonal. EBSD maps showed the grain refinement action of TiC particles on the produced composites. The formation of TiC particles boosted the microhardness and ultimate tensile strength （UTS） of the AMCs.

Microstructure analyses and phase-field simulation of partially divorced eutectic solidification in hypoeutectic Mg-Al Alloys

In this study the partially divorced eutectic microstructure ofα-Mg andβ-Mg17Al12was investigated by electron backscatter diffraction,transmission electron microscopy,and phase-field modeling in hypoeutectic Mg-Al alloys.The orientation relationships between the individual eutecticαgrains,eutecticβphase,and primaryαgrains were investigated.While the amount of eutectic morphology is primarily determined by the Al content,the in-depth microstructure analyses and the phase-field simulation suggest non-interactive nucleation and growth of eutecticαphase in theβphase grown on the interdendritic primaryαdendrites.Also,phase-field simulations showed a preferred nucleation sequence where theβphase nucleates first and subsequently triggers the nucleation of eutecticαphase at the movingβphase solidification front,which supports the microstructural analysis results.

Characterization of microstructure and strain response in Ti-6Al-4V plasma welding deposited material by combined EBSD and in-situ tensile test

Additive layer manufacturing （ALM） of aerospace grade titanium components shows great promise in supplying a cost-effective alternative to the conventional production routes. Complex microstructures comprised of columnar remnants of directionally solidifiedβ-grains, with interior inhabited by colonies of finerα-plate structures, were found in samples produced by layered plasma welding of Ti-6Al-4V alloy. The application of in-situ tensile tests combined with rapid offline electron backscatter diffraction （EBSD） analysis provides a powerful tool for understanding and drawing qualitative correlations between microstructural features and deformation characteristics. Non-uniform deformation occurs due to a strong variation in strain response between colonies and across columnar grain boundaries. Prismatic and basal slip systems are active, with the prismatic systems contributing to the most severe deformation through coarse and widely spaced slip lines. Certain colonies behave as microstructural units, with easy slip transmission across the entire colony. Other regions exhibit significant deformation mismatch, with local build-up of strain gradients and stress concentration. The segmentation occurs due to the growth morphology and variant constraints imposed by the columnar solidification structures through orientation relationships, interface alignment and preferred growth directions. Tensile tests perpendicular to columnar structures reveal deformation localization at columnar grain boundaries. In this work connections are made between the theoretical macro- and microstructural growth mechanisms and the observed microstructure of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy, which in turn is linked to observations during in-situ tensile tests.