Comparison of texture analysis techniques for highly oriented alpha-Al2O3

Texture measurements were performed on liquid-phase-sintered alumina textur ed by a templated grain growth process from 1250 degrees to 1650 degrees C. Texture distributions were measured using X-ray pole figures, rocking curv es, Rietveld refinement, and stereology. The March-Dollase equation fitted the measured distributions very well and gave quantitative values of the de gree of texture and the texture fraction. The fitting parameters of the X-r ay diffraction measurements were comparable to those measured by stereology , Rocking curve analysis was found to be straightforward and to give accura te characterization of texture in the alumina system of this study in a rel atively short time.