Understanding Construction Materials with X-Rays

This course will begin by introducing you to the background of X-rays, as well as the applications and production of X-rays. You will be exposed to radiography, diffraction, crystals and symmetry. You will learn about symmetry operators in crystallography, the discovery of X-ray diffraction and diffractogram. You will gain an understanding of how X-rays are produced and the contents of X-ray tubes. This will lead you into radiography, diffraction and the discovery of the phenomenon of X-ray diffraction by crystals. Also, you will be able to explain geometry, the structure of crystals and what enables them to diffract X-rays.

Next, you will be enlightened on the qualitative phase analysis of X-ray diffraction, how X-ray diffraction patterns can be used for qualitative analysis and using the XRD data analysis software. You will be exposed to practical difficulties in phase analysis, sample preparation for X-ray diffraction and application of XRD in cement-based materials. This will further lead you to the reason why XRD is used for cement and how to prepare samples for X-ray diffraction. 

Lastly, you will learn about the critical steps involved in sample preparation, the reasons for stopping hydration in cement mixing and the different techniques for hydration stoppage. Also, you will gain an understanding of sample preparation for XRD and sample mounting for X-ray diffraction. Then, you will learn about the practical difficulties in qualitative phase analysis. You will also learn about the Reitveld method as the most important method used in minimizing the difference between measured and calculated patterns at each data point in the diffraction pattern, using a least-squares approach. Start learning today!