This test method allows direct determination of the proportion of some individual phases in cement or portland-cement clinker. Thus it provides an alternative to the indirect estimation of phase proportion using the equations in Specification C150 (Annex A1).
This test method assumes that the operator is qualified to operate an X-ray diffractometer and to interpret X-ray diffraction spectra.
This test method may be used as part of a quality control program in cement manufacturing.
This test method may be used in predicting properties and performance of hydrated cement and concrete that are a function of phase composition.
QXRD provides a bulk analysis (that is, the weighted average composition of several grams of material). Therefore, results may not agree precisely with results of microscopical methods.