EBSD | EBSD Applications | Electron Backscatter Diffraction

Applications of electron backscatter diffraction

EBSD is widely utilized in both industrial and R&D settings because it oﬀers a broad spectrum of detailed information quickly and can characterize large areas. These attributes make it highly appealing across various ﬁelds, as it supports quality control (such as defect identiﬁcation), aids in optimizing production processes, and facilitates failure analysis. Additionally, EBSD plays a crucial role in research and development by providing insights that guide the improvement and development of new materials.

EBSD analysis for metallurgy and materials science

Metallurgy and materials science are the main areas where EBSD brings invaluable insights for optimizing metals processing techniques and for improving products’ lifetimes by better tuning the materials’ properties (strength, ductility, or corrosion resistance). Analyzing the microstructure of metals and alloys can, in fact, support and guide product development and improvement. In addition, metals production companies use EBSD as a form of quality control; variations in the uniformity and consistency of the metals’ microstructures have a direct impact on the performance and reliability of the materials, possibly altering and reducing the quality of the ﬁnal products.

EBSD manufacturing applications

Many manufacturing industries take advantage of the EBSD capabilities for quality control purposes and root cause analysis of failures. Among others, the automotive, aerospace, and semiconductor industries employ this technique to investigate failures of components and structures, using the results to improve manufacturing processes and future product designs. For example, EBSD is applied in semiconductor manufacturing to analyze crystal defects, grain boundaries, and interfaces within semiconductor materials with the primary goal of increasing the reliability of electronic devices.

EBSD is also crucial for process optimization and for advanced manufacturing. Studying the evolution of a material’s microstructure and crystallographic properties gives important information to optimize processes such as welding, casting, and additive manufacturing.

EBSD analysis for geology and earth sciences research

One of the main capabilities EBSD brings to material characterization is the possibility of identifying phases. For this reason, geologists and earth scientists make use of it for in-depth studies of diﬀerent mineral phases to understand deformation mechanisms in rocks. EBSD also serves as a tool to understand the crystallographic properties of minerals and rocks and helps in reconstructing geological processes.

EBSD for research and development

Outside of EBSD’s industrial applications, research facilities make extensive use of this technique. Its wealth of information is extremely beneﬁcial for research environments where materials and microstructures are often unknown. Nanotechnology, biology, and biomedical engineering all beneﬁt from the possibility of obtaining insights into the materials’ crystallographic features and interfaces. For example, EBSD is used to analyze the microstructure of biomaterials such as bone implants, dental materials, and tissue scaﬀolds, with the goal of tuning their mechanical properties.

EBSD ﬁnds diverse applications across various industries and research ﬁelds, contributing signiﬁcantly to the understanding, development, and improvement of materials and technologies. Its ability to provide detailed information at the microstructural level makes it a powerful tool for researchers and engineers alike.