Metallurgy Applications of Handheld X-ray Diffraction

X-ray powder diffractometry is a well-established materials analysis technique which produces results directly linked to the microcrystalline structure of the sample material. It is the definitive method for the identification and quantification of the mineral content of rocks, and finds wide-spread application in other areas such as metallurgy and the development of novel materials. Many materials are crystalline in nature at the micron-scale - rocks, soils, many raw materials and building materials, metals - and so the technique has very wide applicability both in research and industrial contexts. Standard methods generally require careful, and destructive, preparation of the sample.

Dr Graeme Hansford has invented an innovative X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique which is suitable for implementation in a handheld instrument format. The unique feature of this XRD technique is tolerance to surface morphology on the mm-scale which allows non-destructive analysis of samples with no preparation of the sample at all. This technique is being developed at the University of Leicester and in conjunction with Bruker Elemental, a major manufacturer of scientific instruments. To date, there are no commercial handheld XRD instruments and its production would represent a global first. An earlier project focussed on developing mining applications of this technology, while this new project is aimed at developing the technique for application to a wide range of metals, alloys and coatings. It is anticipated that this technology will find application in steel manufacture, aerospace, marine, nuclear and power systems industrial sectors.