Analysis of Elements in Cement Using ICPE-9820

Introduction

Cement is used as an ingredient in concrete, and its chemical composition can affect the quality of the concrete as a product. In particular, the concentration of CaO as the principle component in cement affects the time until the concrete sets to its full hardness, and trace components such as Fe₂O₃, MgO, TiO₂, etc. will affect the appearance of concrete. Here, using the Shimadzu ICPE-9820 simultaneous ICP atomic emission spectrometer, we conducted analysis of the elements in typical Portland cement and in the Portland cement mixed with slag and fly ash. Pretreatment of the sample was conducted using the alkali melt process based on the Japan Cement Association standard test method JCAS I-52-2000. The ICPE-9820, which adopts a vertically oriented plasma torch which effectively inhibits the precipitation of salts on the torch, permits accurate analysis of high salt concentration samples such as fused alkali samples.

July 10, 2015 GMT