A machine learning approach to map crystal orientation by optical microscopy

Mapping grain orientation in crystalline solids is essential to investigate the relationships between local microstructure and crystallography and interpret materials properties. One of the main techniques used to perform these studies is electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Due to the limited m...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Wittwer, Mallory, Seita, Matteo
Other Authors: School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: 2022
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10356/160594
Description
Summary:Mapping grain orientation in crystalline solids is essential to investigate the relationships between local microstructure and crystallography and interpret materials properties. One of the main techniques used to perform these studies is electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Due to the limited measurement throughput, however, EBSD is not suitable for characterizing samples with long-range microstructure heterogeneity, nor for building large material libraries that include numerous specimens. We present a machine learning approach for high-throughput crystal orientation mapping, which relies on the optical technique called directional reflectance microscopy. We successfully apply our method on Inconel 718 specimens produced by additive manufacturing, which exhibit complex, spatially-varying microstructures. These results demonstrate that optical orientation mapping on a metal alloy is achievable. Since our method is data-driven, it can be easily extended to different alloy systems produced using different manufacturing processes.