AN ON-LINE X-RAY DIFFRACTION METHOD FOR DETERMINING GRAIN SIZE IN POLYCRYSTALLINE MATERIALS

A NONDESTRUCTIVE TECHNIQUE IS PROPOSED FOR THE ON-LINE DETERMINATION OF GRAIN SIZE IN POLYCRYSTALLINE MATERIALS. THE METHOD CORRELATES FLUCTUATIONS IN INTENSITY OF X-RAYS DIFFRACTED FROM VARIOUS CRYSTALLOGRAPHIC PLANES IN THE MATERIAL TO THE GRAIN SIZE. THROUGH THE USE OF POSITION-SENSITIVE X-RAY DETECTORS AND HIGH-SPEED DIGITAL COMPUTERS AND DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEMS, IT IS POSSIBLE TO GATHER AND INTERPRET SUFFICIENT DATA ENABLING THE TECHNIQUE TO BE USED ON-LINE FOR MATERIAL PROCESSING. THE METHOD CAN BE USED ON BOTH STATIONARY SAMPLES AND MOVING MATERIALS (ELG., ROLLED SHEET). THE PROCEDURE IS APPLICABLE IN A WIDE RANGE OF POLYCRYSTALLINE MATERIALS, INCLUDING METALS, ALLOYS, CERAMICS, AND SINTERED MATERIALS IN A VARIETY OF SHAPES.