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TTL PLC, National Control Centre. DN6 7HH

Specialist X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) Analysis

The Testing Lab PLC (TTL) provides X-Ray diffraction (XRD) analysis services to identify crystalline phases and characterise materials across England, Scotland and Wales.

Specialist X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) Analysis

The Testing Lab PLC (TTL) provides X-Ray diffraction (XRD) analysis services to identify crystalline phases and characterise materials across England, Scotland and Wales.

X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) Analysis Across England, Scotland & Wales

X-Ray diffraction (XRD) is a powerful analytical technique used to study the crystalline structure of materials. When X-Rays interact with a crystal, they are diffracted in specific patterns that reveal how atoms are arranged inside the material. By interpreting these patterns, scientists can determine several key properties of a sample.

What XRD is commonly used for?

  • Identifying crystalline phases
    XRD can determine which compounds or minerals are present in a sample by comparing diffraction patterns to reference databases.

  • Measuring crystal structure and lattice parameters
    It reveals the arrangement of atoms, unit cell dimensions, and symmetry of the crystal.

  • Quantifying phase composition
    XRD can estimate how much of each crystalline phase is present in a mixture (e.g., in alloys, ceramics, or geological samples).

  • Determining crystallite size and strain
    Peak broadening in the diffraction pattern can be used to estimate nanoscale grain size and internal stresses.

  • Assessing material quality and defects
    XRD can detect imperfections such as dislocations, preferred orientation (texture), or residual stress.

  • Studying changes during processing
    It’s widely used to monitor phase transformations during heating, cooling, or chemical reactions.

Contact our XRD analysis team

To discuss XRD analysis for your material, product, or investigation, or to request a quotation, please contact our experienced and dedicated team:

Tel: 0800 177 7264
Email: [email protected]

Or please complete our online call back form by clicking on the “Call Me” button, and we’ll respond promptly.

Why XRD is valuable?

  • Non-destructive

  • Highly precise structural information

  • Applicable to powders, thin films, bulk solids, and some liquids with short-range order

WHY CHOOSE THE TESTING LAB PLC FOR XRD ANALYSIS?

Specialist analytical testing provider
Support for material characterisation and phase identification using X-Ray diffraction for crystalline materials across England, Scotland and Wales.

Clear, practical reporting
Results presented clearly to support decisions on material identification, quality, and processing outcomes.

Support across a wide range of materials
Applicable to powders, thin films, bulk solids, and selected materials with short-range order.

Independent. Nationwide.
Supporting clients across England, Scotland & Wales from our National Control Centre.

Areas we cover

From our National Control Centre, we provide XRD analysis services across:

We can support:

  • Phase identification for unknown powders and solids

  • Quality and defect assessment for manufacturing and processing

  • Mixture and phase composition studies (where applicable)

  • Characterisation of crystallite size and strain indicators

  • Projects requiring non-destructive structural insight for materials selection and performance

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT XRD ANALYSIS

  • What does XRD tell you about a material?
    XRD reveals crystalline structure information and can identify phases, lattice parameters, and indicators of crystallite size/strain from diffraction patterns.

  • Can XRD identify what compounds are in my sample?
    Yes. XRD can identify crystalline phases by comparing measured diffraction patterns to reference databases.

  • Is XRD destructive to the sample?
    XRD is widely valued as a non-destructive technique, meaning samples can often be retained after testing (subject to sample preparation requirements).

  • What sample types can be tested by XRD?
    XRD is commonly used for powders, thin films, and bulk solids, and can be used for some materials showing short-range order.

  • Can XRD quantify how much of each phase is present?
    XRD can estimate phase composition in mixtures in many cases, depending on sample type and testing approach.

  • Can XRD detect defects or stress?
    XRD can indicate material quality issues such as preferred orientation (texture), residual stress, and other crystalline imperfections.

Our Accredited Testing Services

Asbestos Testing & Analysis
UKAS accredited for bulk materials, soils, and air.
Asbestos Consultancy
Expert support for CAR 2012 compliance, asbestos management and project oversight.
Legionella
LCA registered risk assessments, testing, and remedial works.
Geotechnical Laboratory Testing
UKAS accredited soil and material testing.
Water Management
Monitoring and trend data to optimise treatment and reduce risk.
Radon Testing
Externally accredited testing for waste and radon safety.
RAAC Testing
Identify and manage RAAC risks in buildings.
WAC Testing
Soil and waste samples tested for accurate, compliant landfill classification.
WM3 Testing
Testing and reporting to support WM3 waste classification and compliant disposal.
Mundic Block Testing
Specialist testing for concrete degradation.
Effluent Discharge Permit Monitoring
Effluent sampling, laboratory analysis and clear compliance reporting.
PAS 109 Gypsum Testing
Testing recycled gypsum from waste plasterboard, with clear reporting from our Doncaster lab.
XRD Analysis
Non-destructive X-Ray diffraction to identify phases and characterise crystalline materials.
XRF Analysis
Fast, non-destructive elemental analysis for materials and products.
BS 1881-124 Hardened Concrete Testing
Hardened concrete analysis for mix constituents, durability indicators and reporting.
BS 3882 Topsoil Testing
Topsoil testing for BS 3882:2015 classification, quality and suitability.
Coal Tar Testing
Testing reclaimed asphalt for coal tar and PAHs to support classification and compliant management.
HMRC LOI Fines Testing
HMRC-compliant LOI testing for waste fines to support landfill tax classification.
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Douglas
Lothian Hotels Ltd

Dear The Testing Lab PLC,

Many thanks for your prompt and professional asbestos survey report service, I would not hesitate to recommend your company in this regard.

 

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Anonymous
Poole Housing Partnership

This must be an absolute record for getting a report back, considering the surveyor arrived around 3pm – very well done!
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Anonymous
ECORE Construction

Thank you for the very quick response for the quote and scheduling the survey. There’s never any fuss, and always straight forward. Thanks again.

 

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Stuart Meadowcroft
MRICS

Thank you for offering such a prompt turnaround for ACM testing and for your courteous service in doing so – I had a nervous client to placate and knowing the report would be back with them in such a short time was very reassuring to them, and for no more than a basic service from the competition!

 

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Anonymous
ARW Specialist Building Contractors Limited

Bradley, thank you for your efforts at short notice today, please pass on our gratitude to your surveyor Tim who did your company proud!

 

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Pawel Juraszczyk
British Pepper & Spice
H&S Manager

Thank you very much for the air sampling results – and please accept our grateful thanks for resolving this issue so quickly and for the promptness of the report.

Your analyst, Lee, was very helpful and his suggestions and advice appreciated.

We would have no hesitation in recommending The Testing Lab and will be in touch soon with regards arrangements for a full asbestos survey for the rest of the site.

 

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Gary Collinson MCIOB
Hull City Council
Programme Manager

TTL have been working directly as my analyst for the last 12 months on a very complex asbestos removal scheme, they have achieved all of their KPI’s without fail and on a number of occasions surpassed their SLA in acting for us on planning issues associated with the demolition in regard to contamination which cannot be removed as part of the normal sequence of operation.

 

There reports are always issued within timescales and they have policed the reports by the Licensed asbestos contractor faultlessly sometimes in very difficult circumstances.

 

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