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Versatile crystallographic analysis for material science, geology, engineering, and metallurgy applications
The Thermo Scientific TruePix EBSD Detector can provide crystallographic insights for fields ranging from materials science and geology to engineering and metallurgy. From developing advanced materials and improving manufacturing processes to exploring the fundamental properties of various substances, its versatility makes it a valuable tool in both academic research and industrial applications.
NMC battery particles: EBSD characterization for efficient development of energy storage materials
EBSD characterization of NMC (nickel manganese cobalt) secondary particles is a valuable step in battery research and quality control, though not typically part of routine large-scale production. It provides critical insights into grain orientation, phase distribution, and crystallographic texture, which directly influence the electrochemical performance and mechanical stability of cathode materials.
NMC secondary particles are termed “secondary” because they are agglomerates of smaller primary particles. These secondary particles typically form a spherical morphology, which enhances packing density and promotes efficient interaction with the electrolyte.
The pattern quality map reveals a fine primary grain structure. The kernel average misorientation (KAM) map highlights the presence of low-angle grain boundaries. In the inverse pole figure (IPF-X) map, the orientation of primary particles and the overall secondary structure are clearly observable.
While not essential for every production batch, EBSD is crucial in the development and refinement of high-performance NMC-based batteries.
Cross section of a nickel manganese cobalt secondary cathode particle prepared with the Thermo Scientific CleanMill System. The acquisition conditions (acceleration voltage of 10 keV and beam current of 13 nA) provide relatively high spatial resolution due to the reduced interaction volume.
Titanium-niobium-iron (Ti-Nb-Fe) alloys: Material development for hydrogen storage
Titanium-niobium-iron (Ti-Nb-Fe) alloys are valued for their light weight, high strength, and corrosion resistance. Commonly used in industrial and aerospace applications, they are also being explored for hydrogen storage and biomedical implants due to their hydrogen absorption capability and bone-like elastic modulus. In this context, EBSD is commonly used to characterize Ti-Nb-Fe alloys. It provides detailed information that is critical for understanding mechanical properties like strength, ductility, and elastic modulus.
The results highlight the complex phase distribution and crystallographic orientations present in Ti-Nb-Fe alloys. The forescatter electron (FSD) image reveals distinct microstructural morphology, with topographical contrast distinguishing two regions: the upper region exhibits a parallel lath or plate-like structure, while the lower region features more equiaxed and irregular grains.
The inverse pole figure (IPF-X) map further emphasizes the microstructural distinction between these regions. The upper region contains long, aligned grains, likely representing an acicular phase formed during rapid cooling or a martensitic transformation. In contrast, the lower region shows predominantly equiaxed grains in red and green, indicative of a recrystallized or thermally deformed β-phase matrix, with a higher degree of orientation spread and misorientation.
Phase mapping confirms the presence of both α- and β-phases, distinguished by orange and dark blue coloring, respectively. Finally, the grain map reveals elongated grains with high aspect ratios in the transformed regions and equiaxed grains in untransformed areas, suggesting differences in thermal history or deformation conditions across the sample.
Forescatter electron image, IPF-X map, phase map, and grain distribution acquired at an accelerating voltage of 20 keV, beam current 15 nA, map resolution 1,789 x 1,077 pixels.
Food packaging materials characterization with EBSD
Aluminum is widely used in food and beverage packaging due to its excellent barrier properties. It's lightweight, recyclable, and formable, which makes it useful for applications like beverage cans and food trays.
EBSD is used in aluminum production to analyze grain structure, texture, and recrystallization behavior, which are critical for controlling formability and strength in rolled or extruded products. It helps manufacturers optimize production and improve product quality, especially in applications like packaging where performance and reliability are essential.
The results show a fine-grained microstructure with well-defined grain boundaries and minimal pattern degradation, suggesting a well-processed aluminum sheet. The IPF-X map shows a diverse range of crystallographic orientations, implying a largely recrystallized and randomly textured structure, which is typical of aluminum sheets that have undergone thermomechanical processing to improve formability. The IPF-Y map, on the other hand, shows that colors differ from the IPF-X map, indicating orientation changes when viewed from another sample axis. This shift in dominant color patterns between the X and Y directions hints at anisotropy, possibly induced by thermomechanical processing like rolling or extrusion.
The KAM map reveals low levels of local misorientation throughout the sample, indicating minimal residual strain or deformation, with slight increases in misorientation near grain boundaries.
These results suggest that the aluminum has undergone effective recrystallization and exhibits a clean, equiaxed grain structure with uniform mechanical response, which are ideal characteristics for forming processes in packaging applications.
IPF-X, IPF-Y, and KAM maps acquired at an accelerating voltage of 10 keV, beam current 13 nA, map resolution 1,300 x 1,300 pixels.
EBSD characterization of copper microstructure
Copper is widely used in various industries due to its excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance, and ductility. It finds applications in electrical wiring, plumbing, electronics, architecture, and industrial machinery.
To ensure copper’s performance during manufacturing, EBSD is commonly used to characterize its microstructure, especially after processes such as rolling, annealing, or deformation. EBSD is valuable for copper manufacturers because it delivers detailed information on grain size, crystallographic orientation, strain distribution, and deformation mechanisms, which can influence copper’s mechanical and electrical properties.
The Euler map displays a patchwork of irregular, fragmented grains with highly varied orientations, many of which appear elongated and distorted, reflecting both grain subdivision and significant lattice rotations typical of heavily deformed copper. The IPF-X map further highlights the randomization of orientations, while the KAM map shows intense, widespread networks of high local misorientation, forming a dense web of strained regions that correspond to a high density of dislocation structures and sub grain boundaries, which is clear evidence of severe plastic deformation.
These results collectively reveal that the copper sample has undergone significant deformation, and such characterization is essential for understanding material behavior, optimizing processing steps, and ensuring performance in its end-use applications.
Euler, IPF-X, and KAM maps acquired at an accelerating voltage of 20 keV, beam current 16 nA, map resolution 1,143 × 1,143 pixels.
For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.