Phase identity and fraction
powder, grazing-incidence, high-resolution, texture, residual-stress, or single-crystal XRD
Material Analysis · Structure & Spectroscopy
X-ray Diffraction (Powder / Single-Crystal / Texture / In-situ / Synchrotron) (XRD)
Characterise phase identity and fraction, lattice parameters, crystallite size, and microstrain, and texture, orientation, stress, or variable-condition change using a scope agreed around your sample and decision.
- Price
- from£15 per sample, excl. VAT
- Turnaround
- 5 working days Preparation and scope dependent
- Available platforms
- Malvern Panalytical EmpyreanBruker D8 DISCOVER PlusRigaku SmartLabXenocs Xeuss 3.0
- Typical outputs
- Raw and processed diffraction patternsPhase assignments and optional quantitative refinementLattice, size, strain, texture, or stress parameters as scopedProcessed spectra
Why this service
What XRD can help you understand
X-ray Diffraction (Powder / Single-Crystal / Texture / In-situ / Synchrotron) is selected when the project needs defensible information on phase identity and fraction, lattice parameters, crystallite…
Lattice parameters, crystallite size, and microstrain
in-situ or synchrotron XRD
Texture, orientation, stress, or variable-condition change
Rietveld refinement
Choose the scope
Start from the question, not the tool
The method, preparation route and reporting depth depend on what you need to decide.
Powder, grazing-incidence, high-resolution, texture, residual-stress, or single-crystal…
phase identity and fraction
- Best used when
- phase identity and fraction
- Typical result
- Raw and processed diffraction patterns
- Preparation note
- Exact mass and any drying or dispersion step are confirmed after technical review.
In-situ or synchrotron XRD
lattice parameters, crystallite size, and microstrain
- Best used when
- lattice parameters, crystallite size, and microstrain
- Typical result
- Phase assignments and optional quantitative refinement
- Preparation note
- State the substrate, nominal thickness and whether sectioning or mounting is permitted.
Rietveld refinement
texture, orientation, stress, or variable-condition change
- Best used when
- texture, orientation, stress, or variable-condition change
- Typical result
- Lattice, size, strain, texture, or stress parameters as scoped
- Preparation note
- State the fibre type, orientation and whether cutting, bundling or mounting is acceptable.
Common outputs
A result package matched to the decision you need to make
Fields, conditions, processing and file formats are confirmed before work begins.
Raw and processed diffraction patterns reported with the agreed units, sample reference and measurement conditions.
Phase assignments and optional quantitative refinement supplied in a labelled format suitable for direct sample or condition comparison.
Lattice, size, strain, texture, or stress parameters as scoped provided with the processing basis and quality checks agreed during technical review.
Processed spectra included when selected in the confirmed reporting scope.
Sample requirements
What to provide before work begins
Provide representative, clearly labelled samples and identify the decision, feature or comparison that matters.
| Suitable sample | Submission requirement | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Powder / particles | Provide a dry, homogeneous and clearly labelled sample in a sealed container. | Exact mass and any drying or dispersion step are confirmed after technical review. |
| Film / coating | Provide the coated substrate or a flat film with the test surface and coating side clearly marked. | State the substrate, nominal thickness and whether sectioning or mounting is permitted. |
| Fibre / textile | Provide clean, dry fibres or a representative textile section in protective packaging. | State the fibre type, orientation and whether cutting, bundling or mounting is acceptable. |
| Test coupon / specimen | Provide labelled specimens prepared to the agreed geometry, orientation and surface condition. | Confirm the applicable standard, dimensions, loading direction and number of replicates. |
Objective: state the decision, comparison or acceptance criterion the work must support.
Handling and access: declare hazards, instability, confidentiality, file constraints or special logistics before dispatch or transfer.
Questions and answers
Common planning decisions
Short answers to issues that can change preparation, scope, timing or interpretation.
What should I send for X-ray Diffraction (Powder / Single-Crystal / Texture / In-situ / Synchrotron)?
Provide powder / particles, film / coating, fibre / textile, test coupon / specimen as applicable. Exact quantity, dimensions and preparation are confirmed during technical review.
Which analysis option should I choose?
The final method, preparation and reporting scope are confirmed after the sample and project objective have been reviewed.
How long will the test take?
Typical turnaround is 5 working days after sample acceptance and method confirmation.
What can limit the result?
Low-level, amorphous, poorly crystalline, or strongly overlapping phases may be difficult to resolve. Quantitative results require suitable structural models and representative sampling.
Configure the service
Send the information needed to scope XRD correctly
- Sample form, material, dimensions and quantity
- Feature or decision the result must address
- Required comparison, acceptance criterion or reference
- Preferred output and reporting depth