A sample holding device and related method designed to facilitate inexpensive and reliable testing of materials or specimens with beam diffraction and scattering techniques. The device features a sample receptacle that is made out of a polymer, cellulose, polymeric material, or cellulosic material. The flexible nature and low melting point of the sample receptacle allows for reliable sealing against the vacuum or gaseous environment used for beam diffraction or scattering analysis. The sample holding device can be considered disposable because of its low cost, eliminating the need for complex or unreliable cleaning procedures.