XRF quickly detects differences in the composition of cement. The APEX 400 Press can rapidly prepare pellet samples for more accurate XRF analysis.
The annual demand for cement is almost 4 bn tons, while concerns over its immense carbon impact are growing [1]. XRF spectroscopy is a key quality control technique in the production of cement, subject to standard quantification tests such as ASTM C114 [2] and ISO 29581. XRF is also used to verify the raw materials – limestone, clay, and gypsum, and clinker – although efforts to reduce the amount of clinker in cement are underway.
Pellet preparation is used to accelerate and simplify the handling of these materials, avoiding the use of delicate X-ray films, while also improving the accuracy of quantification of the sample components.
How is XRF used in the cement industry?
XRF analysis is routinely used in the cement industry at several stages of production:
• Testing quarry sites to quickly determine mining suitability
• Assessing intermediate products like clinker
• Quality assessing the final cement to international standards such as ASTM C114
Different cements are produced to suit a variety of applications. Portland cement is a good standard for construction but changing the chemical makeup of the cement can make products like Ready-to-Use cement. The difference in the composition for these samples was quickly detected by XRF.
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Why use Specac for your XRF sample preparation equipment?
Specac offer a comprehensive range of sample preparation accessories for FTIR and XRF, including presses, pellet dies, high temperature film makers, and consumables such as KBr powder and XRF pelletising aids.
Besides these, a variety of other sampling techniques – including single and multiple reflection ATR, DRIFTS, and Specular Reflectance – are available.
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