Validation of crystallographic correlation for faceted morphology in laser surface engineered alumina ceramic

Surface modification of alumina ceramics using high energy-density lasers is associated with the formation of highly faceted pyramidal surface grains. Recently, we have developed a phenomenological crystallographic correlation that explains the faceted morphology by a (1 (2) over bar 10) texture. Based on high-resolution electron back-scattered diffraction, the present work proposes a precise correlation showing that faceting of surface grains is closely linked with the evolution of a texture with (2 (3) over bar 10) parallel to the surface and the (0001) normal to the direction of laser treatment trace. Published by Elsevier Ltd. on behalf of Acta Materialia Inc.