Cement

XRD and XRF for phase and elemental analysis

Modern Portland cement is made by mixing substances containing lime, silica, alumina, and iron oxide and then heating the mixture until it almost fuses. During the heating process dicalcium and tricalcium silicate, tricalcium aluminate, and a solid solution containing iron are formed. X-ray fluorescence (XRF), a standard technique across the cement industry, is used to determine metal-oxide concentrations and oxide stoichiometry. X-ray diffraction (XRD) provides quantitative analysis of free lime in clinker, which is critical to the production process. Kiln parameters are monitored, and adjusted continuously, based on XRD and XRF analytical results. Rigaku technology and know-how provide a number of unique solutions for these measurements.