A comparison of grain size determination by light microscopy and EBSD analysis

The application of light microscopy and electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) to the measurement of grain size was considered and a comparison with traditional metallographic methods for a low carbon steel and a diluted 2xxx Al-Cu-Mg alloy was provided. The low carbon steel was processed by industrial hot rolling and normalizing heat treatment. The grain size of the sample was measured by SIS Imager analysis package for optical image analysis. It was shown that the accuracy of optical microscopy analysis of grain size depends on sample preparation techniques, etching procedures and materials.