Comparison of texture analysis techniques for highly oriented α-Al₂O₃

Texture measurements were performed on liquid-phase-sintered alumina textured by a templated grain growth process from 1250° to 1650 °C. Texture distributions were measured using X-ray pole figures, rocking curves, Rietveld refinement, and stereology. The March-Dollase equation fitted the measured distributions very well and gave quantitative values of the degree of texture and the texture fraction. The fitting parameters of the X-ray diffraction measurements were comparable to those measured by stereology. Rocking curve analysis was found to be straightforward and to give accurate characterization of texture in the alumina system of this study in a relatively short time.