Capabilities

Bulk Silica Analysis & Material Testing

Understand the Silica Content of Your Materials — Before It Becomes a Risk

Crystalline silica is present in a wide range of raw materials, products, and industrial byproducts. Understanding its composition is critical for:

Product quality and formulation
OSHA hazard classification and SDS compliance
Process optimization and materials selection
Downstream exposure risk management

RJ Lee Group provides high-precision bulk silica analysis to identify and quantify crystalline silica in solid materials—giving you defensible data to support decisions across operations, safety, and compliance.

Why do our customers choose us?

Quick turnaround times

Low detection limits

Identification of interferences

Scientific consultation

Increased resolution

True Bulk Analysis—We analyze 1–2 grams or more of material to ensure results are representative of the entire sample.
Lowest Detection Limits in the Industry—Our advanced techniques achieve detection limits as low as 0.1% or lower, even in complex mineral matrices which cause interferences in the XRD scans.
Matrix Reduction for Accuracy—Using specialized heat and acid digestion methods, we reduce the sample matrix prior to analysis to eliminate interferences and enhance sensitivity.
Expertise with Interfering Minerals—Our sample preparation methods are effective even when crystalline silica is present alongside minerals like mica, clay, feldspar, and barite which cause interferences in the XRD scans.
Specialized Identification—We also offer a unique XRD method to distinguish between opal and cristobalite, helping you solve complex silica-related challenges.
Fast turnaround times- We offer a standard 10-working-day turnaround time with quicker times available on request. Our lab has 4 Malvern Panalytical XRD instruments on-site, ensuring that instrument repairs will not slow down the receipt of your results.

Advanced Analytical Techniques

X-Ray Diffraction (XRD)
- Gold standard for crystalline silica identification and quantification.
- Differentiates quartz, cristobalite, and tridymite.
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
- Resolves complex or overlapping mineral signals.
Complementary Methods
- SEM/EDS for particle characterization.
- ICP, XRF for elemental composition.
- Microscopy for morphology and phase context.

Material Types We Analyze

Sand, soil, and aggregates.
Concrete, cement, and construction materials.
Engineered stone and ceramics.
Mining and mineral processing samples.
Industrial powders, residues, and byproducts.
Unknown materials and contamination deposits.

Instrumentation

X-Ray Diffraction (XRD)

RJ Lee Group uses X-ray diffraction (XRD), a powerful, nondestructive technique for characterizing crystalline materials. RJ Lee Group uses the very latest XRD Panalytical Empyrean with BBHD optics and 1Der detector. This state-of-the-art technology gives better resolution and sensitivity, providing very low detection limits for short duration exposures. It also increases throughput and eliminates redundancy, allowing us to offer rapid turnaround times with high quality output.

We employ a clean plasma ashing method for air sample preparations, eliminating the filter without leaving ash or other residues that can contaminate samples.

Our XRD lab for crystalline silica in Monroeville, PA, offers comprehensive quantitative silica analysis with unmatched sensitivity and accuracy. Our testing includes all three regulated forms of crystalline silica:

Quartz
Cristobalite
Tridymite

Featured Blog Post

Quality Control: The Importance of Third-Party Testing

Featured Blog Post

Quality Control: The Importance of Third-Party Testing

Chromatography & Separation

Spectroscopy & Elemental

Thermal & Surface/Porosity

Microscopy & Structural Characterization