Sample Preparation For XRF Analysis Of Cement Clinker

XRF (X-ray Fluorescence) analysis of cement clinker involves using X-rays to excite the elements in the clinker sample. By detecting the intensity of characteristic X-rays, it can rapidly and non-destructively determine the content of major oxides (such as CaO, SiO₂, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, etc.) in the clinker. This is a core method for cement production control and quality inspection. Ensuring that the mineral composition of clinker meets the requirements, thereby guaranteeing the stability of cement performance (such as strength and setting time), is mainly used for real-time monitoring of raw material proportioning, clinker calcination process and finished product quality assessment. It is an indispensable analytical technology in modern cement industry.

Generally speaking, the powder pressing method is used for the routine determination of elements in cement and related materials, especially when simpler and faster preparation is required. Recently, borate fusion technology has gained popularity due to its higher accuracy and repeatability.

The sample preparation process and equipment for XRF (X-ray fluorescence) analysis of cement clinker are as follows:

Step 1:  Cement clinker crushing

The clinker discharged from the kiln is generally 20 to 50MM. The clinker of this particle size is crushed to 2-3mm by a jaw crusher

 

Our jaw crusher adopts tungsten carbide jaw plates, which are wear-resistant, have a long service life and low maintenance costs. The frame adopts modular bolt connection, which has higher overall strength and stronger crushing force. The discharge outlet is adjusted by a handle, which is convenient and fast. The use of flat jaw plates results in finer output particle size. Configurable dust collectors provide a better operating environment.

Technical specification for jaw crusher

Model	ZPEF-60×100
Feeing open size	60×100mm
Feeding size	<50mm
Discharging open Adjust scope	0.1-10 mm
Capacity	32-650kg/h
Voltage	380V
Power	2.2 kw
Weight	200 kg
Dimension	890×420×670（mm）
Chamber Material	tungsten carbide jaw plates zirconia ceramic side liner

Step 2:  Pulverizing

Grinding the samples coming out of the jaw crusher to less than 80 to 200 mesh (180 to 75 microns) using a disc grinding mill or a vibrating sample preparation machine to reduce the particle size effect.

when you need to prepare a big batch of samples, you could adopt the disc grinding mill for quick sample grinding.

Technical specification for disc grinding mill

Model	YHPM-200	YHPM-300	YHPM-450
Feeding Size	<6mm³	<6mm³	<8mm³
Disc Diameter	200mm	300mm	450mm
Discharged Size	<0.075-3mm（7-200 mesh） adjustable
Capacity	25-50kg/h	30-80kg/h	50-100kg/h
Power	1.5kw	3kw	4kw
Weight	120kg	250kg	400kg
Dimension	800×500×520mm	1000×550×750mm	1000×850×900mm
Disc Material Option	High manganese steel, stainless steel, corundum, zirconia, tungsten carbide Different grinding discs should be selected according to the different materials being crushed

Compared with the traditional disc grinding mill, this machine adjusts the gap structure of the grinding discs by a precision slide table to ensure the consistency of the gap between the grinding discs, thereby ensuring the uniformity of the fineness of the discharged.

 

Step 3:  Pellet Press

The fine powder is then pressed at 20 tons in a steel ring or on a boric acid support for mechanical stability.

the finished pellet like below picture shows

The sample preparation case is as follows:

A,Stir the sample evenly with a small sample spoon before drying.

B,Drying: raw materials and other raw material before the sample preparation in rapid drying baking in the oven for 10 min, baked sample quantity of about 30 g.

C, will be baked samples (sample clinker don’t bake) within a prescribed mill, add 2 ~ 3 drops of triethanolamine or 5 ~ 10 drops of anhydrous alcohol, a lid on it.

D, the mill is put in the mill to the mill table base, the card tight.

E, check the mill time relay on the location of the 120 s (grinding time according to different material easy grinding test), and then switched on.

F, grinding after the 120 s, take out a millstone, clear out to sample powder grinding all pour in a clean paper, with small spoon stir to mix well.

G,balanced sample : raw (10 + / – 0.1) g; Clinker (12±0.1)g; The sample weight of other raw materials shall be determined through tests. Add a certain amount (determined through experimentation) of binder, such as stearic acid, and stir evenly.

H, the steel ring plate with cotton or soft cloth to wipe clean, put Shanghai ring, the sample powder into the die, the sample surface leveling with mixing wing, put pressure on the opening, and then move into tablet press center.

I, to start the tablet press, under the pressure of 20 mpa pressure maintaining 20 s, automatic stop.

J, with washing ear ball to blow net net pressure or vacuum suction mould sample powder.

K, put samples in fluorescence instrument to under test .

 

 

2025-12-23