Investigation of a naturally occurring mixture of dioctahedral micas prompted an examination of X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques for obtaining quantitative estimates of 1M and 2M 1 mica proportions. A method for determining quantitative estimates has been developed that includes the effect of preferred orientation of mica particles as described by the March function. A diagram is presented from which the percentage of 2Mı and the March parameter (r) can be obtained from two peak-area ratios: 2.80 Å/5.0 Å and 2.80 Å/2.58 Å, which are measured on observed XRD patterns of mica mixtures. The ability of this peak-area ratio diagram to predict reasonably accurate proportions of 1M and 2Mı micas was tested by comparing calculated and observed XRD patterns over a range of 2θ values from 16° to 40° for size-fractionated mixtures. Lack of accurate crystal-structure data for dioctahedral 1M mica proved an impediment to obtaining improved quantitative estimates of mica proportions.
