Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 January 2013
Fifteen reference patterns of oxides, nitrides, borides, carbides, silicides, and sulfides are included in this report. The general methods of producing these X-ray powder diffraction reference patterns are described in this Journal, Vol. 1, No. 1, pg. 40(1986).
Samples were mixed with one or two internal standards: silicon (SRM640a), silver, tungsten, or fluorophlogopite (SRM675). Expected 2θ values for these internal standards are specified in the methods described (ibid.). Data were measured with a computer controlled diffractometer. The POWDER-PATTERN system of computer programs was used to locate peak positions, to calibrate the patterns, and to perform indexing and least-squares cell refinement. A check on the overall internal consistency of the data was also provided by a computer program.
Intensities were measured as peak heights above background and were read manually from strip charts. To minimize preferred orientation effects, the powders were passed through a 400 mesh sieve and were mixed with an amorphous diluent material, glass powder. Samples were prepared by side-drifting the mixture into the holder or by dusting a thin layer on a glass slide coated with a thin smear of silicone grease.
The support and interest of the ICDD in this project is gratefully acknowledged. The expert guidance of R. Roth of the Ceramics Division on material synthesis and the careful review of the manuscript by S. Block of the Ceramics Division and A. D. Mighell of the Reactor Division are fully appreciated. Acknowledgement is also extended to D. Minor for performing sample analysis by using SEM. In the production of these standard powder patterns, the ability to search NBS CRYSTAL DATA has proven invaluable.