Small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) experiments are utilized to characterize materials and obtain the scatterer’s size, shape, polydispersity and two-dimensional (2D) orientation. The approach has evolved to include imaging, enabling the extraction of spatial information from various samples. An example will be made with thermoplastic materials and how scanning SAXS experiments can be used to obtain a description of the scatterers, providing structural insights, for example the 2D orientation, that can be related to the thermoplastic properties. 
Small-angle x-ray tensor tomography (SASTT) [1,2] has emerged as an extension of the scattering techniques. By using a cylindrical, solid sample and incorporating rotations and tilts of the sample in three dimensions during continuous measuring, SASTT enables the reconstruction of the three-dimensional (3D) reciprocal space map (Fig 1). By analyzing the 3D reciprocal space map, we obtain valuable material properties beyond traditional spatial features. The method yields the same parameters as a traditional SAXS experiment, with the addition of the directionality in three dimensions. The information obtained in 2D and 3D will be compared.
Recent advancements have led to the development of an ODF algorithm capable of extracting the full orientation distribution function (ODF), explaining the orientation of the scatterers in three dimensions. SASTT experiments will be described together with an explanation of the ODF algorithm to show how orientation information aid in the characterization of oriented materials.