Direct Printout X-Ray Pole Figures from Digital Computers

Abstract

The texture of sheet metal Is best described, by means of pole figures, which are very expensive and time-consuming to prepare. About 8 to 12 hours of effort by a specially trained, and. highly skilled technician are needed to prepare each pole figure. Accordingly, pole figures are not used as extensively in research studies as they would, be if they could be obtained more easily.A method has been developed for automatically producing pole figures by printing results directly from a digital computer. This method does not require the use of additional plotting attachments and, is therefore less expensive and time consuming than other methods. With this method, any laboratory with access to a digital computer can produce pole figures automatically.X-ray diffraction intensities are recorded on punched tape or on punched cards and are fed into the digital computer. A computer program corrects X-ray data obtained, by either transmission or reflection X-ray techniques, maps the stereographic projection, and prints pole figures directly. The time required, to prepare an accurate pole figure is reduced from 8 to 12 hours to 20 minutes or less depending on the type of digital computer used.