End to End Clinker Phase Analysis
The Bruker D6 PHASER XRD at MNRDC identifies all four primary clinker phases plus secondary phases (free lime, periclase, gypsum, calcium langbeinite) through Bragg’s Law diffraction. TOPAS Rietveld refinement quantifies the exact weight percentage of each phase, providing the numerical data that cement plant quality control departments need. This is the same methodology used in cement industry standards (ASTM C1365, EN 196-2 Annex) for quantitative clinker analysis. Head here to know how XRD testing happens in MNRDC, Parul University.
Additional Construction Material Tests at MNRDC
- Tile and flooring abrasion resistance: Pin-on-Disc tribometer simulates foot traffic wear on ceramic tiles, polymer flooring, and stone surfaces under controlled loads
- Coating and waterproofing surface quality: AFM measures nanoscale roughness of protective coatings applied to concrete surfaces
- Supplementary cementitious materials (fly ash, GGBS, silica fume): XRD confirms amorphous content (higher amorphous = higher pozzolanic reactivity)
- Cement hydration kinetics: DSC measures heat flow during cement hydration, determining setting times and reactivity of different cement blends
- Soil and aggregate characterisation: XRD identifies clay minerals in soil samples, which affect foundation stability
Gujarat's Construction Testing Demand
Gujarat’s infrastructure development pipeline includes the Ahmedabad Metro expansion, the Dholera Special Investment Region, GIFT City’s continued development as a global financial hub, and the Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train corridor. Each of these projects involves thousands of tonnes of cement and concrete requiring quality verification. Test and validate your idea with such giants and begin your journey as a researcher at MNRDC, Parul University!
FAQ
Can MNRDC quantify clinker mineral phases?
Yes. XRD with TOPAS Rietveld refinement quantifies C3S, C2S, C3A, C4AF, free lime, and secondary phases by weight percentage. ICDD PDF-4 database for phase identification. This is the industry-standard method (ASTM C1365, EN 196-2 Annex) for clinker analysis.
Does MNRDC test concrete samples?
SEM+EDS images of concrete cross-sections at nanometre resolution, revealing C-S-H gel, portlandite, air voids, ITZ quality, and ASR gel. XRD identifies hydration products and supplementary cementitious material reactivity. DSC measures hydration kinetics.
