In recent years, the global cement and minerals industry is undergoing a rapid expansion. The global white cement industry’s market value is expected to hit US$ 6.9 billion by 2024, at a CAGR of 5.2%. With this success, however, like many other growth industries, comes an increasing pressure for providers to deliver high-quality materials. In mineral extraction and cement manufacture, this translates into the production of specialized cement types for increased strength extra resistance against wear and corrosion.
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It is essential to obtain the right composition from the base raw materials, and all the way throughout the process, to meet the final cement specification. For instance, the silica (SiO2) and lime (CaO) content within the cement impact its strength, and its setting time is influenced by the alumina (Al2O3)) and lime content. Iron oxide (Fe2O3) is added to the mixture to attain the right color.
X-ray fluorescence (XRF) has historically been a significant method of measurement method for the cement and minerals industry. This is thanks to its ability to measure samples rapidly and easily. XRF analysis can therefore be deployed at various stages of manufacture, including the stages of raw material analysis, checking the composition of partially processed products such as clinker, as well as to validate the final cement specification.
However, the difficulty herein lies in the fact that cement production and mineral extraction are not clean environments. To use sensitive equipment such as an XRF analyzer on location in dusty environments can seem hugely counter-intuitive. Luckily, this is where Hitachi High-Tech’s LAB–X5000 benchtop XRF analyzer can shine.
LAB–X5000: Every Shift. Every Test. Every Time.
The LAB–X5000 has been designed with the utmost strength and durability, with built-in features that can withstand a dusty production environment. The LAB-X5000’s small footprint renders it easy to locate the LAB–X5000 on-site close to the production line.
Rapid Analysis
The LAB–X5000 could not be easier to use. The user simply has to load the sample into the analyzer, click a button and the results are presented in just a few minutes. This provides the user with immediate feedback on the mix’s composition, which ensures both the raw materials and your in-house processes offer the quality that is needed.
Superior Technology
In terms of technical design, there are no compromises. The rugged exterior encases high-end detection technology, offering the best performance. The option exists to use helium, to achieve low detection limits for elements like sodium and magnesium.
Surpasses Industry Standards
The analyzer meets each of the precision requirements of ASTM C114 for chemical analysis of hydraulic cement: for instance, it measures all key oxides in cement and minerals, including Na2O, MgO, Al2O3, SiO2, CaO, and Fe2O3. In addition to this, the software also engages in post-analytical cement moduli calculations of the mix, like the Lime Saturation Factor (LSF), alumina ratio (AR) and silica ratio (SR).
Rugged by Design
Each of the components involved in production have been carefully selected and extensively checked and analyzed for use in a production environment, which includes the industrial-grade computer. After measurement, the sample is automatically moved away from the detector and X-ray tube, which helps to reduce the contamination risk of these vital components.
Quality Control, Simplified
The LAB–X5000 boasts a SmartCheck feature, which allows the user to set customizable pass and fail criteria for all elements being checked. This feature can also be set for the cement moduli calculations, which allows the XRF operator to immediately detect any issues with the sample. The analyzer also possesses a customer-defined quality control routine, which ensures that all your measurements are in control.
Find Out More
The LAB–X5000 provides reliability, resilience and precision to your compositional analysis of cement and minerals, with pre-loaded method parameters, calibration instructions and a consumables pack.
This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Hitachi High-Tech Analytical Science.
For more information on this source, please visit Hitachi High-Tech Analytical Science.