Texture characterization of some large hailstones with an automated technique

Hailstone structures have been studied for over a century, but so far mainly by manual optical means. This paper presents new texture and microstructure data (i.e. crystal lattice orientations, grain sizes and shapes) measured with an Automatic Ice Texture Analyzer, which gives access to high spatial and angular resolutions. The hailstones show two main characteristics: (1) they are structured with several concentric layers composed of alternating fine equiaxed grains and coarse elongated and radially oriented grains, and (2) they show two texture types with c-axes oriented either parallel or perpendicular to the radial direction. Such textures are compared with the ones observed in lake S1 and S2 ices, respectively. The S1 texture type (with c-axes parallel to the columnar crystals that grew in the radial direction) may result from epitaxial growth from a polycrystalline embryo, while the S2 texture (c-axes in the plane perpendicular to the column direction) may result from the growth from an embryo made of a few crystals with mainly one crystallographic orientation. Our novel high-resolution maps and measurements of both microstructure and texture may help to shed new light on the long-term discussion on the growth mechanisms of large hailstones.

On the Classification of Colored Textures From a Texture-Ranking Experiment: Observers Ability of Discrimination Quantification

This paper is devoted to the construction of Fechnerian scales on a physical dimension of investigated colored textures. For this purpose, we considered the extension of the Mallows-Bradley-Terry model for the analysis of the data collected from a contrast-sorting experiment. A likelihood ratio test procedure was proposed in order to choose between the two following hypotheses: discrimination and non-discrimination between the investigated stimuli. In addition, post-hoc analyzes allowed us to find out which of the stimuli differ from the others. Our findings indicate that the subjective attribute of visual contrast appears to be a psycho physical scale that maps to the physical scale corresponding to the Michelson contrast. Mainly, the estimates of the model index of discrimination parameter of the stimuli show that the ability of the observers to discriminate between the textures according to the visual contrast varies with respect to the color ranges and the textures types. According to the luminance contrasts ability of discrimination, the Isotropic texture type is the best, followed by the Random-dots texture type, then by the Horizontal grating type and the Vertical grating type is the least. The Fechnerian scales on the physical dimension of the Michelson contrast of the colored textures depend on the chromaticness of the colored textures phases and the texture types. The psycho physical method of identification would be the best when determining the related thresholds.

Preferred Orientation of Quartz in Metamorphic Rocks from the Bergell Alps

Crystal preferred orientation of 47 samples of quartzite and eight samples of associated marbles from the Bergell Alps have been analyzed with time-of-flight neutron diffraction and EBSD. The results show a clear distinction of texture types for quartzites transformed from Triassic sandstones and quartz layers in gneiss. Textures of Triassic quartzites are overall weak and display a maximum of c-axes perpendicular to the foliation or a crossed girdle perpendicular to the lineation. Pole figures for positive rhombs {10 1 ¯ 1} show a maximum perpendicular to the foliation and negative rhombs {01 1 ¯ 1} generally display a minimum. Based on polycrystal plasticity models this texture type can be attributed to a combination of basal and rhombohedral slip. Asymmetry of the distributions is attributed to simple shear and local strain heterogeneities. The relatively weak texture is partially caused by muscovite limiting dislocation motion and grain growth, as well as adjacent layers of marble that accommodate significant strain. Most quartz layers in gneiss, including mylonites, display a texture with a-axes parallel to the lineation and a c-axis maximum in the intermediate fabric direction. This texture type can be attributed to dominant prismatic slip. Many samples are recrystallized and recrystallization appears to strengthen the deformation texture. The study shows good agreement of neutron diffraction and EBSD. Neutron diffraction data average over larger volumes and maximum pole densities are generally lower and more representative for the bulk material. With EBSD the microstructure and mechanical twinning can be quantified.

Modification of Microstructure and Texture in Highly Non-Flammable Mg-Al-Zn-Y-Ca Alloy Sheets by Controlled Thermomechanical Processes

The influence of rolling temperature and pass reduction degree on microstructure and texture evolution was investigated using an AZXW3100 alloy, Mg-3Al-1Zn-0.5Ca-0.5Y, in wt.%. The change in the rolling schedule had a significant influence on the resulting texture and microstructure from the rolling and subsequent annealing. A relatively strong basal-type texture with a basal pole split into the rolling direction was formed by rolling at 450 °C with a decreasing scheme of the pass reduction degrees with a rolling step, while the tilted basal poles in the transverse direction were developed by using an increasing scheme of the pass reduction degrees. Rolling at 500 °C results in a further distinct texture type with a far more largely tilted basal pole into the rolling direction. The directional anisotropy of the mechanical properties in the annealed sheets was caused by the texture and microstructural features, which were in turn influenced by the rolling condition. The Erichsen index of the sheets varied in accordance to the texture sharpness, i.e., the weaker the texture the higher the formability. The sheet with a tetrarchy distribution of the basal poles into the transverse and rolling directions shows an excellent formability with an average Erichsen index of 8.1.

Effects of Microstructure and Texture Evolution on Strength Improvement of an Extruded Mg-10Gd-2Y-0.5Zn-0.3Zr Alloy

The extrusion process with a large extrusion ratio (36:1) has a great effect on microstructure refinement and strength improvement of the Mg-10Gd-2Y-0.5Zn-0.3Zr alloy. The tensile yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, and elongation of the extruded alloy are 306MPa, 410MPa, and 16.3%, respectively. The causes of strength improvement of the extruded alloy are discussed in detail. The grain refinement is a main strengthening source, contributing ~67MPa to the tensile yield strength of the extruded alloy. Dense precipitation of long period stacking ordered (LPSO) and β′ phases on the matrix and transformation of texture type in the extrusion process also partly increase the strength. In addition, a small number of {10 1 ¯ 2} twins during tensile test is another factor improving the strength of the extruded alloy.

Anisotropy of the Microstructure and Tensile Properties in Ti-5Al-5Mo-5V-1Cr-1Fe near β Titanium Alloy during Hot Rolling and Heat Treatment

Ti-55511 billet with the acicular α initial microstructure was hot rolled (HR sample) and then heat treated (HR+HT sample) at 750 °C. The effects of HR and HT on the anisotropy of microstructure, texture, and tensile properties were investigated. The tensile results show that there are obvious anisotropic tensile properties between RD and TD. The anisotropic elongation of HR sample is related to the morphology of α phase. After HR, the acicular α is parallel to RD. As for RD specimen, the transgranular propagation of microcrack passing through the acicular α phase leads to the ductile fracture, thus showing the higher ductility than TD specimen. While the intergranular propagation of microcrack passing by the equiaxed α phase in TD specimen causes the brittle fracture. The anisotropic strength of HR sample depends on the relationship among texture type of α phase, slip system, and loading direction. The maximum texture intensity at TD leads to the easy activation of basal slip system in RD and that of prismatic slip system in TD, and then causes the lower strength of RD specimen than TD specimen. After HT, the decreased anisotropy of elongation and strength can be attributed to the increased α size and the decreased texture intensity of α phase. These results demonstrate that anisotropic tensile properties mainly depend on the morphology and texture of α phase.

Magnetic Anisotropy in Single Crystals: A Review

Empirical relationships between magnetic fabrics and deformation have long served as a fast and efficient way to interpret rock textures. Understanding the single crystal magnetic properties of all minerals that contribute to the magnetic anisotropy of a rock, allows for more reliable and quantitative texture interpretation. Integrating information of single crystal properties with a determination whether or not mineral and magnetic fabrics are parallel may yield additional information about the texture type. Models based on textures and single crystal anisotropies help assess how the individual minerals in a rock contribute to the rock’s anisotropy, and how the individual anisotropy contributions interfere with each other. For this, accurate and reliable single crystal data need to be available. This review paper discusses magnetic anisotropy in single crystals of the most common rock-forming minerals, silicates and carbonates, in relation to their mineralogy and chemical composition. The most important ferromagnetic minerals and their anisotropy are also discussed. This compilation and summary will hopefully lead to a deeper understanding of the sources of magnetic anisotropy in rocks, and improve the interpretation of magnetic fabrics in future structural and tectonic studies.

Evaluation of hydrodynamic lubrication performance of textured surface from the perspective of skewness and kurtosis

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of texture on hydrodynamic lubrication performance of slide surface from the perspective of skewness and kurtosis. Design/methodology/approach Hydrodynamic lubrication theoretical model of textured surface was established based on two-dimensional Reynolds equation, and finite difference algorithm was used as the numerical approach in the paper. Skewness and kurtosis of surface were obtained by discrete calculation. Findings Numerical analysis results show that the influence law of texture types on skewness, kurtosis and hydrodynamic lubrication was the more negative skewness and higher kurtosis, the better hydrodynamic lubrication performance when texture cross section contour and geometric parameters were the same. Similarly, the same influence law of skewness, kurtosis and hydrodynamic lubrication performance by texture cross-section contour was observed. However, it was unable to evaluate the effect of texture angle on hydrodynamic lubrication performance of textured surface from the perspective of skewness and kurtosis. Originality/value This paper confirms the feasibility of evaluating influence of texture types and texture cross-section contour on hydrodynamic lubrication performance from the perspective of skewness and kurtosis and provides a way to optimize texture type and texture cross section.