ABSTRACTTraditionally, small angle neutron scattering (SANS) has been used to study dilute concentrations of defects 1 -100 nm in size. Recent extensions of the scattering theory have allowed the expansion of the technique to include larger sizes through the use of multiple scattering. With multiple small angle neutron scattering, defects (pores, microcracks, precipitates) up to 10 μm in size can be studied. SANS is inherently a non-destructive, bulk probe of microstructure, with wide applications in the characterization of materials.A number of studies of ceramic materials using multiple and traditional (single particle diffraction) small angle neutron scattering will be discussed. The emphasis will be on the strength of the technique in the characterization of materials. Particular examples will include: the assessment of pore size distributions in spinel compacts as a function of sintering and agglomeration, the characterization of primary and secondary particle sizes in precipitated aggregates, and the determination of microporosity in MDF cements.
Microstructural Characterization of Ceramic Materials by Small Angle Neutron Scattering Techniques
