Put as simply as possible, x-ray diffraction is the use of a beam of x-rays to reveal the structure of a crystalline object without destroying it, and it’s been used for roughly 100 years. A lab will flood a sample with incident x-rays and then measure the angles of the x-rays leaving the object, as well as the intensity.
The x-rays leaving the object are collected on a detector, in a similar manner to the x-ray plates that let doctors see your skeleton. Each material scatters the x-rays in a unique pattern, meaning this type of diffraction can be used to identify unknown crystalline materials.
The x-rays will have interacted with the atoms inside the material and can reveal their pattern so this diffraction will also show how much of the material is crystalline and how much is amorphous.
This process can also reveal the crystalline phases, put simply this means how the material’s structure will alter at different temperatures. With a relatively small sample, a lab can also evaluate the structural properties of a material.
This includes the strength of this exact specimen as it will differ from averages based on flaws and composition. The diffraction test will also show the preferred orientation and how the material will react to strain. Diffraction can even reveal the thickness of each layer of a multi-layered material.
Fields That Benefit From This Process
You may now be thinking, I don’t work in the sciences so is this relevant to me? Well, x-ray diffraction has widespread applications. Of course, it is used within science pursuits, particularly in geology to determine mineral composition. This process is also used in the pharmaceutical industry to reverse engineer medication to aid in the creation of generic drugs once patents have expired.
Outside the science world, it’s become a big part of the mining industry to differentiate between ores for the most efficient breakdown. It even has applications in the arts world, as this process is used for ceramics to determine the exact makeup of materials, so the right time is given in the kiln. As only a small sample is needed, it can also used to test each ceramics batch for quality control and product consistency.
We mentioned earlier that diffraction can show how the material will react to strain. This can be expanded to full stress testing which has benefits to any business creating products of multiple components. Knowing how each part of your product holds up against temperature changes or surface pressure lets you feel safe in the knowledge you’re providing a quality product that can cope with the stresses of use.
More and more manufacturing processes now involve adding sealants or coatings. Using x-ray diffraction can reveal if these actions have caused any changes at the basic atomic level so you know whether you need to make any structural changes to avoid the material breaking down.
X-ray diffraction has had a place in the material testing world for a long time and as technology adapts it changes to keep up. There are even portable options now so some diffraction can be done outside a lab, assuming all x-ray safety protocols are followed of course.
Pick the Right Lab to Trust
If you’re now considering finding a lab to perform XRD diffraction for you, what should you look for? Technical specs on clear display are a good place to start so you know you’ll get the level of detail you’re looking for. Checking they’ve worked with other companies in your field is a plus too, as well as an easy quotes process to save you time.
If you have no need for diffraction services, then at least you’ve learnt something new today.
Understanding the Basics: What is X-ray Diffraction and How Does it Work?
Put as simply as possible, x-ray diffraction is the use of a beam of x-rays to reveal the structure of a crystalline object without destroying it, and it’s been used for roughly 100 years. A lab will flood a sample with incident x-rays and then measure the angles of the x-rays leaving the object, as well as the intensity.
The x-rays leaving the object are collected on a detector, in a similar manner to the x-ray plates that let doctors see your skeleton. Each material scatters the x-rays in a unique pattern, meaning this type of diffraction can be used to identify unknown crystalline materials. The x-rays will have interacted with the atoms inside the material and can reveal their pattern so this diffraction will also show how much of the material is crystalline and how much is amorphous.
This process can also reveal the crystalline phases, put simply this means how the material’s structure will alter at different temperatures. With a relatively small sample, a lab can also evaluate the structural properties of a material.
This includes the strength of this exact specimen as it will differ from averages based on flaws and composition. The diffraction test will also show the preferred orientation and how the material will react to strain. Diffraction can even reveal the thickness of each layer of a multi-layered material.
Fields That Benefit From This Process
You may now be thinking, I don’t work in the sciences so is this relevant to me? Well, x-ray diffraction has widespread applications. Of course, it is used within science pursuits, particularly in geology to determine mineral composition.
This process is also used in the pharmaceutical industry to reverse engineer medication to aid in the creation of generic drugs once patents have expired. Outside the science world, it’s become a big part of the mining industry to differentiate between ores for the most efficient breakdown.
It even has applications in the arts world, as this process is used for ceramics to determine the exact makeup of materials, so the right time is given in the kiln. As only a small sample is needed, it can also used to test each ceramics batch for quality control and product consistency.
We mentioned earlier that diffraction can show how the material will react to strain. This can be expanded to full stress testing which has benefits to any business creating products of multiple components. Knowing how each part of your product holds up against temperature changes or surface pressure lets you feel safe in the knowledge you’re providing a quality product that can cope with the stresses of use.
More and more manufacturing processes now involve adding sealants or coatings. Using x-ray diffraction can reveal if these actions have caused any changes at the basic atomic level so you know whether you need to make any structural changes to avoid the material breaking down.
X-ray diffraction has had a place in the material testing world for a long time and as technology adapts it changes to keep up. There are even portable options now so some diffraction can be done outside a lab, assuming all x-ray safety protocols are followed of course.
