Science becomes crystal clear with XRD. Discover the crystal structures of minerals and materials.

The Stoneman Laboratory houses two PANalytical X’Pert PRO instruments. These instruments are equipped with a spinning sample stage and an X’Celerator detector (strip detector). Different radiation for different materials is used i.e. Co-, Cu- or Fe- radiation.

We do analyses for Tertiary Institutions, Industries, Mining Companies, Construction Companies, etc., or if you are just curious about what is contained in a piece of rock or what mineral it is, you are most welcome.

What is XRD?

X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) is a rapid analytical technique primarily used for:

• Phase identification of crystalline material, either single-phase materials or multi-phase crystalline mixtures (rocks, soils, inorganic compounds, etc.)
• Quantitative determination of the amounts of the different phases in the mixtures using the Rietveld method.
• Identifying fine-grained minerals such as clays and mixed layer clays that are difficult to determine optically.
• It can provide information on unit cell dimensions and help with the determination of the crystal structure of minerals.
• Amorphous content quantification is achieved by adding a standard.
• Retained Austenite and other solid metal pieces.

Other applications

• Non-ambient Stage: Samples (powder, paste, or foil) are analyzed at high temperatures in various atmospheric conditions. Operating temperatures depend on the heating filament used (graphite or platinum) but range from room 25º to 1600º C.
• Open Eulerian Cradle for Texture analysis - pole figure mapping of texture.
• Open Eulerian Cradle for Residual Stress & Strain analyses.

Quotes and appointments

1. Student instructions
2. CLIENT INSTRUCTIONS
3. Download the SAMPLE SUBMISSION FORM

Get in touch

Don't hesitate to contact Ms. Noxolo Nkebe or Mr Zakhele Nkosi for a competitive quote and further details:

[email protected] or [email protected]

012 420 6751 or 012 420 5012