Crystal orientation and texture
area map
Material Analysis · Microscopy & Imaging
Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD)
Characterise crystal orientation and texture, grain size and boundary character, and phase distribution and local misorientation using a scope agreed around your sample and decision.
- Price
- from£180 per view, excl. VAT
- Turnaround
- 6 working days Preparation and scope dependent
- Available platforms
- Oxford Instruments Symmetry S3EDAX Velocity UltraBruker e-Flash FS
- Typical outputs
- Orientation and inverse-pole-figure mapsPhase, grain, boundary, and misorientation statisticsIndexed pattern quality and acquisition parameters
Why this test
What EBSD can help you understand
Electron Backscatter Diffraction is selected when the project needs defensible information on crystal orientation and texture, grain size and boundary character, or phase distribution and local misorientation.…
Grain size and boundary character
high-angular-resolution or transmission EBSD
Phase distribution and local misorientation
EDS-EBSD phase correlation
Choose the scope
Start from the question, not the instrument
The measurement mode, preparation route and reporting depth depend on what you need to learn from the sample.
Area map
crystal orientation and texture
- Best used when
- crystal orientation and texture
- Typical result
- orientation and inverse-pole-figure maps
- Preparation note
- Provide a flat, deformation-free polished surface, preferably finished by electropolishing or ion milling where needed.
High-angular-resolution or transmission EBSD
grain size and boundary character
- Best used when
- grain size and boundary character
- Typical result
- phase, grain, boundary, and misorientation statistics
- Preparation note
- State expected phases and the coordinate system for texture.
EDS-EBSD phase correlation
phase distribution and local misorientation
- Best used when
- phase distribution and local misorientation
- Typical result
- indexed pattern quality and acquisition parameters
- Preparation note
- Avoid coatings that obscure diffraction unless specifically agreed.
Common outputs
A result package matched to the decision you need to make
Fields, measurement conditions, processing and file formats are confirmed before work begins.
Orientation and inverse-pole-figure maps supplied with the agreed units, labels, sample reference and measurement conditions.
Phase, grain, boundary, and misorientation statistics supplied with the agreed units, labels, sample reference and measurement conditions.
Indexed pattern quality and acquisition parameters supplied with the agreed units, labels, sample reference and measurement conditions.
Example results
What EBSD results can look like
EBSD maps compare grain orientations, grain-size distributions and local misorientation across cold-rolled copper foil layers.
Tong Wu et al. · source · CC BY
A coordinated EBSD row shows orientation, retained-austenite phase distribution and local misorientation in case-hardened gear steel.
Marina Knyazeva et al. · source · CC BYSample requirements
What to send
Provide representative, clearly labelled samples and identify the region, feature or comparison that matters.
| Suitable sample or input | Submission requirement | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Metals, ceramics, minerals, semiconductors, and crystalline coatings with polished surfaces | Provide a flat, deformation-free polished surface, preferably finished by electropolishing or ion milling where needed. State expected phases and the coordinate system for texture. Avoid coatings that obscure diffraction unless specifically agreed. | Surface preparation is critical and poorly diffracting or nanocrystalline regions may not index. |
Region of interest: include a marked image, sketch or reference when the target feature is localised.
Handling: declare hazardous, magnetic, volatile, moisture-sensitive, beam-sensitive or temperature-controlled material before dispatch.
Questions and answers
Common planning decisions
Short answers to issues that can change preparation, scope or interpretation.
What should I send for Electron Backscatter Diffraction?
Provide a flat, deformation-free polished surface, preferably finished by electropolishing or ion milling where needed. State expected phases and the coordinate system for texture. Exact quantity and preparation are confirmed after reviewing the material and objective.
Which analysis option should I choose?
Choose the mode around the decision you need to make. For crystal orientation and texture, start with area map; add high-angular-resolution or transmission EBSD when comparison or quantification is required.
How long will the test take?
Typical turnaround is 4–10 working days after sample acceptance and method confirmation.
What can limit the result?
Surface preparation is critical and poorly diffracting or nanocrystalline regions may not index. The result is surface- or section-specific.
Configure the service
Send the information needed to scope EBSD correctly
- Sample form, material, dimensions and quantity
- Feature or decision the result must address
- Marked region of interest where relevant
- Required comparison, output and reporting depth