Practical determination of α-quartz crystallinity by X-ray diffraction

Due to the classification of crystalline silica as a human carcinogen, health regulations necessitate the determination of α-quartz in respirable dust bulk materials in the industrial environment-A variety of analytical methods, including X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy (IR), have used to determine crystallinity degree of quartz in bulk materials. In addition to determination of crystalline silica in respirable dust, Murata Norman (1976) proposed a semi-quantitative XRD method for measuring quartz crystallinity in bulk materials as well as minerals.The deterof full-with-at-half-maximum (FWHM) for quartz diffraction line in sample such as clay, coal and cement containing quartz an accessocan be used to evaluate Murata's crystallinity index for the quartz.The measurement of FWHM for quartz in bulk materials will accelpractically the determination of crystallinity of quartz.