Polymers and fibers
Many plastic polymers and fibers have some order and can be identified and studied by X-ray diffraction methods. These polymers are, at least in part, crystalline or pseudo-crystalline with partially ordered structures which cause diffraction peaks. In fact, the percent crystallinity in a polymer can be determined by X-ray diffraction methods. This crystalline/amorphous ratio is often related to processing methods and is of much importance in polymer chemistry. Other uses of XRD in plastics and polymers research and production include: determination of unit cell type and lattice parameters, determination of the microstructure, and determination of crystallographic orientation through pole figures.
Systems
- Benchtop X-ray diffraction: MiniFlex™
- Microdiffraction XRD: RAPID II
- Multipurpose high-performance XRD: Ultima IV
- Automated XRD system: SmartLab®
- High-power θ/θ goniometer system: TTRAX III
- SAXS: S-Max3000, SMax ultra