Anisotropic small-angle neutron scattering studies of ceramics

This paper discusses how small-angle neutron scattering studies can be applied in two variations to obtain a representative characterization of the large, densely-populated, and anisotropic features that occur in the microstructures of various materials. The use of Pored scattering to amplify the anisotropies that are present, permitting different microstructural components to be identified, is discussed. Measurement of the anisotropic beam-broadening due to multiple small-angle neutron scattering is also described, as is its use to extract mean sizes and volume-fractions for the component microstructures. The work is illustrated by a small-angle scattering study of microcracking in a strongly textured anisotropic ceramic.