Spatial Distributions

Abstract

In previous chapters we have developed the means for quantifying the size, shape and preferred orientation of particles, mineral grains, grain boundary surface, etc., based on the idea that such geometrical aspects of the microstructure are qualitatively or quantitatively related to the physical processes that have produced them. For example, the elongation of particles is interpreted in terms of plastic deformation or strain; the average size of recrystallized grains is taken as a measure for the flow stress; and shape factors are related to the intensity of abrasion during cataclastic displacement on a fault. In other cases shape changes reflect the amount of grain boundary migration during ductile creep or the progress of annealing.