X-Ray Diffraction (XRD)

Term: X-Ray Diffraction (XRD)Definition: A technique used to identify the crystalline structure of materials by measuring the scattering of X-rays from a sample.Phonetic Pronunciation: (eks-ray dif-RAK-shun)Origin: The term "X-ray" originates from the German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen's discovery of a new type of radiation in 1895, which he called "X-rays" due to their unknown nature. "Diffraction" comes from the Latin "diffractus," meaning "broken into pieces," reflecting the way waves spread out after encountering an obstacle.Significance in Asbestos Context: X-Ray Diffraction is crucial for identifying and quantifying asbestos in materials. It helps in determining the presence of asbestos fibers in samples, which is essential for assessing exposure risks and ensuring compliance with safety regulations.Example Sentence: The laboratory used X-Ray Diffraction to confirm the presence of chrysotile asbestos in the building materials.Related Terms: Asbestos Identification, Crystallography, Electron Microscopy, Spectroscopy, Phase AnalysisNotes: - XRD is non-destructive, allowing the sample to be used for further analysis. - It requires a crystalline sample, which can be a limitation for some materials. - The technique is highly sensitive and can detect very low concentrations of asbestos.