Three decades of electron backscatter diffraction of magnesium: What has it taught us?

Abstract

Electron backscatter diffraction has transformed microstructural analysis. Its advent enabled the microstructure to be correlated with crystallographic orientation in an unprecedented manner. This correlation has taught us many things about the physical metallurgy of magnesium and its alloys. Some highlights from three decades of research are presented in this talk. Chief among these is the insight the technique has provided into mechanical twinning, which plays a major role in the deformation of magnesium. The technique has also shed important light on deformation mechanisms, heterogeneity of material flow and, of course, the processes of texture development during wrought processing. It also promises more. In coming years, careful analysis of electron backscatter diffraction patterns and maps will in all likelihood continue to highlight the dominating mechanisms and phenomena that must be captured in microstructurally honest models of material response.