Orientation distribution analysis in deformed grains

Some improvements are proposed for the statistical analysis of orientation data within individual grains, in particular by allowing for crystallographic symmetries. A method based on quaternions is then presented to characterize orientation spreads including anisotropic effects. Based on this approach, some analyses of disorientation distributions (orientation distribution functions, disorientation noise and the description of sub-boundary disorientation) are reconsidered. The analysis is illustrated by a practical application to the microtextures of a hot deformed aluminium alloy crystal.