A standardless method of quantitative ceramic analysis using X-ray powder diffraction

Abstract

A new procedure using X-ray powder diffraction data for quantitative estimation of the crystalline as well as the amorphous phase in ceramics is described. Classification of the crystalline and amorphous X-ray scattering was achieved by comparison of the slopes at two successive points of the powder pattern at scattering angles at which the crystalline and amorphous phases superimpose. If the second slope exceeds the first by a stipulated value, the intensity is taken as crystalline; otherwise the scattering is considered as amorphous. Crystalline phase analysis is obtained by linear programming techniques using the concept that each observed X-ray diffraction peak has contributions fromncomponent phases, the proportionate analysis of which is required. The method does not require the measurement of calibration data for use as an internal standard, but knowledge of the approximate crystal structure of each phase of interest in the mixture is necessary. The technique is also helpful in qualitative analysis because each suspected phase is characterized by the probability that it will be present when a reflection zone is considered in which the suspected crystalline phase could contribute. The amorphous phases are determined prior to the crystalline ones. The method is applied to ceramic materials and some results are presented.