The investigation of the origin and formation of microstructures and the effect that microstructure has on the properties of materials are important issues in materials science and technology. Geometrical analysis is often the key to understanding the formation of microstructures and the resulting material properties. The authors make use of mathematical morphology, spatial statistics, image processing, stereology and stochastic geometry to analyze microstructures arising in materials science.

• Quantitative microstructure analysis is one of the most successful experimental techniques in materials science

• Uses examples to demonstrate the techniques

• Program code included enables the reader to apply the numerous algorithms

• Accessible to material scientists with limited statistical knowledge