makrotekstur

Makrotekstur is a term used in Estonian-language technical literature to denote macrotexture, the texture of a surface or material observable at a macroscopic, or visually discernible, scale. It contrasts with microtexture, which refers to features only detectable by microscopy. Makrotekstur encompasses patterns such as grain orientation in polycrystalline materials, the alignment of fibers in composites, or the visible grain and relief of wood and rock surfaces. Because it concerns larger-scale features, makrotekstur is often assessed qualitatively through visual inspection and quantitatively by comparing the overall texture to reference directions or using nondestructive techniques that sample a broad region.

In materials science, macrotexture describes the macroscopic distribution of grain orientations, which can cause anisotropy in mechanical properties and formability. In geology and Earth science, the term is used to characterize the preferred orientation of minerals or fabric within a rock, affecting properties such as strength and seismic wave propagation. In wood science and engineering, macrotexture relates to visible grain patterns generated by growth rings and the alignment of vessels and fibers, influencing strength, stiffness, and machining behavior.

Because makrotekstur is context-dependent, researchers define it with field-specific criteria and measurement methods. The concept helps explain why seemingly similar surfaces behave differently under load, wear, or transport, and it complements microscopic texture analyses by focusing on the larger-scale structural organization.