Rigaku MiniFlex Benchtop XRD

19 Aug

SEAM’s acquisition of the Rigaku MiniFlex X-ray Diffraction (XRD) system significantly enhances its capacity to characterise and optimise materials across a wide range of sectors, including medtech, pharma, electronics, advanced manufacturing, and clean tech.

This compact, high-precision instrument allows for:

  • Phase identification and quantitative phase analysis of powders and solids

  • Crystallinity evaluation for materials used in polymers, batteries, semiconductors, and coatings

  • Stress/strain analysis in metallic components and composites

  • Monitoring of lattice distortions due to manufacturing or environmental factors

Impact on SEAM’s Materials Sustainability Lab

The MiniFlex plays a vital role in SEAM’s new Materials Sustainability Lab, enabling research and industrial support in the following key areas:

Green Material Substitution

  • Identify and validate alternative materials with lower environmental impact

  • Support the switch from virgin to recycled feedstocks while maintaining structural integrity

Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) Support

  • Provide crystallographic data for accurate material profiling in LCA modelling

  • Help clients make evidence-based decisions about material longevity and degradation

Waste Valorisation & Circular Economy

  • Analyse industrial by-products and secondary raw materials for reuse potential

  • Characterise slags, ashes, fillers, and other residues for circular product integration

Durability Testing for Sustainable Construction

  • Assess phase changes and crystallinity in green cements, composites, and alternative binders

  • Support the development of long-life, low-carbon building materials

Why This Matters for SEAM Clients

With growing demands for carbon reduction, regulatory compliance, and sustainable sourcing, the MiniFlex XRD helps SEAM:

  • Deliver high-value insights quickly and cost-effectively

  • Empower Irish SMEs and manufacturers with laboratory-grade material intelligence

  • Strengthen our position as a leading national resource for materials analysis and innovation

Whether supporting new product development, failure investigation, or sustainable process innovation, the MiniFlex enables SEAM to continue delivering advanced, actionable insights that align with the needs of a changing industrial landscape.

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