Cement News tagged under: microscopy

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Raw material microscopy

30 October 2017, Published under Cement News

Microscopical methods are key tools in the assessment of potential raw materials to be used in the production of high-quality cement. This month ICR considers the use of optical microscopy in the determination of the mineral composition of the rocks under investigation. Figure 1: kiln feed viewed in plain-polarised light Assessment of potential raw materials involves many lines of enquiry. The chemical composition, geological variation, accessibility and consistency are essentia...

Microscopy & practice

08 April 2013, Published under Cement News

In this article Arthur Harrisson connects microscopy observations with the practical issues on the cement plant and in the market. He also identifies the benefits which are obtained by regular microscopic examination of cement clinker. Figure 1: effect of coarse silica in kiln feed. Oversized belite crystals are very difficult to combine with free lime In a previous article concerning microscopy (ICR July 2010) as a demonstration of the complexity of clinker mineralogy I took th...

A is for alite

18 June 2012, Published under Cement News

The characteristics of clinker minerals when viewed under the microscope reveal key information about the cement production process. Arthur Harrisson explains their importance, mineral non-equilibrium and mineralogy in practice. He also takes a closer look at the key mineral alite. Optical microscope can reveal a wealth of information about clinker manufacturing processes and clinker properties Cement clinker contains four main minerals, all of which are usually identifiab...