A comparison between three-dimensional and two-dimensional grain boundary plane analysis

An EBSD-based methodology for assessment of grain boundary planes, in particular Σ3 boundaries in face-centred cubic materials, has recently been devised. The method is based on trace analysis in a single, two-dimensional section rather than the more arduous three-dimensional method. The paper reports a data set of grain boundary planes in alpha-brass, mainly Σ3s, which have been analysed using both methods so that they can be compared and a recommendation made about the usefulness of the new method. It is shown that the new, two-dimensional method is a valuable tool in the analysis of grain boundary geometry, especially when used in conjunction with v/vm, a parameter for assessing the proximity to the misorientation reference structure.