XRD
Together with our partners X-Ray Mineral Services
XRD is the longest established technique for mineral identification and quantification.
Qualitative Analysis
Minerals, ceramics, refractories
ICSD and ICDD (PDF4 Minerals) databases
Over 200,000 entries in the databases
HighScore Plus (V4.9) by PANalytical and Traces (V6) by GBC Scientific Equipment software
Separated Clay Fraction Analysis
Unambiguous identification and quantification of clay minerals including swelling and mixed-layer clays
Samples are subjected to different chemical and thermal treatments for clay speciation including: ethylene glycol solvation and heat treatment to 380C and 550C
Quantitative Analysis
Quantitative phase analysis using the Rietveld method. Accurate standardless quantitative analysis
Analysis using the best Rietveld software available on the market: Autoquan by BGMN, Siroquant by Sietronics and HighScore Plus by PANalytical
Alternative quantitative method, in-house Reference Intensity Method (RIR) calibrated with over 250 standards and
Sample Types
Aggregates
Minerals and ores
Mine tailings
Coals
Limestone/dolomite
Silica sand and clays
Airborne quartz
Instrumentation
High quality analysis
High sample throughput
Fast turnaround times
Analytical versatility
Applications
Product quality control
Borehole studies
Environmental investigations
Mineral exploration
Construction material evaluation
Geological studies
Internal standard
mixtures 2019
X-Ray Mineral Services are continuously improving their methodologies and check their precision and accuracy against mixtures of known mineral standards.
The latest mixtures were prepared to check the quantification given by the Rietveld software “Autoquan”, with special interest in the relative proportions of illite and mica.
Illite and mica are structurally similar - their basal reflections have the same 2d spacing. Therefore, it is very difficult to differentiate between them by XRD using a conventional method like the Reference Intensity Ratio (RIR) method. The quantification of illite and mica was therefore achieved using the Rietveld method which is able to decipher experimental complications, such as peak overlap. Being a “full-pattern analysis” method, all intensity data from the pattern are taken into account, resulting in advantages over the conventional RIR method.
.jpg)
Mineral & Chemical
Applications
X-ray Mineral Services Ltd was established in 1997 to provide high quality X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analytical services. We strive for data excellence and are
recognised as a global leader in the provision of mineralogical data to a wide range of clients.
Mineral Analysis
Mineralogy identified using a PANalytical
Xpert3 Powder Diffractometer:
Quartz/Cristobalite/Opal
Carbonates/Calcite/Dolomite
Silicates
Feldspars
Clay minerals and behaviours
Sulphides and sulphates
Phosphates
Fe/Mn ores
Evaporites
Chemical Analysis
Elemental chemistry identified using a Rigaku Supermini200 WD-XRF and Rigaku NEX-DE ED-XRF Spectrometers:
Major elements (oxides)
SiO2, TiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, MnO, MgO, CaO, Na2O, K2O, P2O5, SO3, BaO
• Automatic fused bead production for repeatability
• Loss on Ignition
Minor (trace) elements
V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, Se,
Br, As, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ag,
Cd, In, Sn, Sb, I, Cs, Ba, La, Hf,
Ta, W, Pb, Bi, Ce, Nd, Th, U.
Applications
Satisfaction Guaranteed
Construction material evaluations (e.g. aggregates, feedstock materials, pyrite content, brick & tile clays, bentonite)
Mineral exploration and resource planning
Silica content of sand
Product quality control (e.g. synthetics and refractories)
Environmental investigations (e.g. mine tailings)
Materials safety (e.g. respirable quartz, free silica)
Ground investigation
Ceramic bodies
Fillers
Agricultural lime
Gemstones, beads and artefacts
Get a Quote
If you have any additional questions don't hesitate to get in touch and one of our specialists will be happy to help