Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-q99xh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-25T01:47:01.495Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Routine Crystallite-Size Determination by X-Ray Diffraction Line Broadening

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 March 2019

R. C. Rau*
Affiliation:
General Electric Company Cincinnati, Ohio
Get access

Abstract

Increasing interest in the sintering characteristics of various ceramic materials has resulted in the need for a knowledge of the crystallite sizes of many constituent ceramic powders. Standard X-ray diffraction line-broadening techniques have been utilized to determine these crystallite sizes. This paper presents a general review of the theory of line broadening as a means of measuring crystallite size and gives the methods and modifications used to perform this type of analysis rapidly and on a routine basis.

Four modifications have been used in the determination of crystallite size routinely by X-ray line broadening. These methods are (1) a graded set of powder photographs, (2) a computer program to calculate sizes from diffractometer data, (3) a set of crystallite-size curves for a given material for use with diffractometer data, and (4) a standard set of curves to use with diffractometer data for any strain-free materials. The preparation, use, and limitations of each of these methods is presented.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © International Centre for Diffraction Data 1961

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Scherrer, P., Götcinger Nachrichten, Vol. 2, 1918, p. 98.Google Scholar
2. Klug, H. and Alexander, L., X-ray Diffraction Procedures, John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1954, pp. 491538.Google Scholar
3. Bragg, L., The Crystalline State, Vol. I., A General Survey, G. Bell and Sons, London, 1949, p. 189.Google Scholar
4.Internationale Tabellen zur Bestlmmung von Kristallstrukturen, Vol. II, Gebriider Eorntraeger, Berlin, 1935, PP. 588-608.Google Scholar
5. Jones, F. W., “The Measurement of Particle Size by the X-ray Method,” Proc. Roy. Soc. (London), Vol. 166A, 1938, pp. 16-43.Google Scholar
6. Rau, R. C., “X-ray Diffraction Investigation of BeO Calcination Processes, ” Advances in X-Ray Analysis, Vol. 4, University of Denver, Plenum Press, New York, 1961, pp. 1939.Google Scholar
7. Bartram, S. P., “Crystallite Size and Particle Size Measurements on BeO Powders by X-ray Methods,” Advances in X-Ray Analysis, Vol. 4, University of Denver, Plenum Press, New York, 1961, pp. 4062.Google Scholar
8. Alexander, L., “The Synthesis of X-ray Spectrometer Line Profiles with Application to Crystallite Size Measurements,” J. Appl. Phys., Vol. 25, No, 2, 1954, pp. 155161.Google Scholar
9. Bolinger, M. G. Jr., “Electron Microscope Studies of Beryllium Oxide Powders,” Fourteenth A.E.G. Metallography Group Meeting, Nuclear Metals, Inc., Boston, Mass., April 5-6, 1960.Google Scholar