Standardless Quantitative X-Ray Phase Analysis – Estimation of Precision

Abstract

AbstractQuantitative phase analysis of n-phase mixtures can be performed if at least n samples composed of no more than n identical phases are available. The fact that there is no need for pure phases (analytical standards) constitutes the main advantage of the method presented here. However, substitution for the pure phases by an unknown mixture of these phases decreases the diversity of the sample set and also the precision of the analysis. The crucial step in a standardless method is the creation of an initial sample set. A simple test is developed to estimate the suitability of the sample set for analysis and to evaluate the analysis error. Application of this test to 13 four-phase mixtures has confirmed its high quality.