Determination of equilibrium humidities using temperature and humidity controlled X-ray diffraction (RH-XRD)

Confined growth of crystals in porous building materials is generally considered to be a major cause of damage. We report on the use of X-ray diffraction under controlled conditions of temperature and relative humidity (RH-XRD) for the investigation of potentially deleterious phase transition reactions. An improved procedure based on rate measurements is used for the accurate and reproducible determination of equilibrium humidities of deliquescence and hydration reactions. The deliquescence humidities of NaCl (75.4+/-0.5% RH) and Ca(NO3)2 x 4 H2O (50.8+/-0.7% RH) at 25 degrees C determined with this improved RH-XRD technique are in excellent agreement with available literature data. Measurement of the hydration of anhydrous Ca(NO3)2 to form Ca(NO3)2 x 2 H2O revealed an equilibrium humidity of 10.2+/-0.3%, which is also in reasonable agreement with available data. In conclusion, dynamic X-ray diffraction measurements are an appropriate method for the accurate and precise determination of equilibrium humidities with a number of interesting future applications.