3D EBSD combines EBSD with serial sectioning methods to create a three-dimensional map of a material's crystallographic structure. The technique involves serially sectioning a sample into thin slices, and then using EBSD to map the crystallographic orientation of each slice. The resulting orientation maps are then combined to generate a 3D map of the crystallographic structure of the material. The serial sectioning can be performed using a variety of methods, including mechanical polishing, focused ion beam (FIB) milling, or ultramicrotomy. The choice of sectioning method depends on the size and shape of the sample, on its chemical composition, reactivity and mechanical properties, as well as the desired resolution and accuracy of the 3D map.
3D EBSD has several advantages over traditional 2D EBSD. First, it provides a complete picture of a material's crystallographic structure, allowing for a more accurate and detailed analysis of the microstructure. Second, it can be used to study complex microstructures, such as those found in composite materials or multi-phase alloys. Third, it can be used to study the evolution of microstructure over time, such as during deformation or heat treatment.
However, 3D EBSD also has some limitations. It requires extensive data acquisition and processing, proper alignment between slices, and can be time-consuming and computationally intensive. In addition, the quality of the 3D map depends on the quality of the individual EBSD maps, which can be affected by factors such as sample preparation, data acquisition parameters, and analysis methods. Overall, 3D EBSD is a powerful technique for studying the crystallographic structure of materials in three dimensions, and is widely used in materials science and engineering research and development.