Disordered Heterogeneous Materials

Published

July 1, 2019

Author(s)

Andrew J. Allen

Abstract

This chapter describes the use of diffraction-based methods to characterize amorphous or disordered heterogeneous materials. Quantitative materials microstructure characterization using small-angle scattering methods is emphasized. While these techniques can be applied to all heterogeneous materials, whether disordered, completely amorphous or crystalline, the presence of heterogeneity generally implies disorder in the material system as a whole, and it is demonstrated how small-angle scattering should be applied as the principal diffraction-based technique of relevance. Details are presented regarding the use of both small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) to study heterogeneous disordered material systems. Information is given as to how the techniques should be applied in their various forms, how the data should be interpreted through the application of appropriate models, and what kind of quantitative information is ultimately obtainable. Some details are also provided on the application of “liquids amorphous” and total scattering methods to provide structure information when some short-range order is present in an otherwise disordered material.

Citation

International Tables of Crystallography, Volume H: Powder Diffraction

Publisher Info

International Union of Crystallography, Chester, -1

Pub Type

Book Chapters

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Keywords

heterogeneous materials, SAXS, SANS, total scattering, disordered microstructure

Citation

Allen, A. (2019), Disordered Heterogeneous Materials, International Tables of Crystallography, Volume H: Powder Diffraction, International Union of Crystallography, Chester, -1, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=914059 (Accessed May 10, 2026)

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