COMPARISON OF X-RAY DIFFRACTION DATA OF SILICATES IN BOTH REFLECTION AND TRANSMISSION MODE WITH NOVEL AUTOMATIC SIX SAMPLE CAPILLARY STAGE.

For geologists and geochemists who use X-Ray diffraction to study sedimentary and metamorphic rocks and minerals, the problems of preferred orientation, non-homogenous grain sizes and stability can be quite frustrating. These effects are can be minimized by using capillary stages in transmission mode.

We have collected data on several minerals using newly developed six sample capillary stage on Rigaku’s Benchtop X-ray diffraction unit – MiniFlex 600. This work compares data for several pure minerals (gypsum, calcite, and muscovite) and mixtures of phyllosilicates using the six sample capillary stage versus the tradition top filled sample holders with 20mg aliquots. Data from both methods for phase identification, lattice parameter refinement and quantitative analysis using the Rietveld method are presented. Results yield significant improvements in both qualitative and quantitative analysis.