Quantitative Phase Analysis of Cementitious Materials
Summary
Quantitative phase analysis is the suite of techniques employed to determine the amounts of crystalline and amorphous constituents in cementitious materials. Central to this endeavour is X-ray powder diffraction combined with refinement methods that deconvolute diffraction patterns into individual phase contributions. By extracting weight fractions of alite, belite, portlandite, ettringite and amorphous calcium silicate hydrate, researchers can track hydration kinetics, optimise mix designs and predict mechanical performance. The approach addresses mixed crystalline phases that evolve during cement setting, as well as disordered or poorly crystalline supplementary cementitious materials such as slag or fly ash. Recent advances integrate laboratory-scale diffraction with mass-balance calculations, high-energy radiation for improved penetration and three-dimensional imaging to account for microstructural heterogeneity. These developments enhance detection limits for minor phases, refine quantification of amorphous gels and permit in situ studies of hydration under realistic conditions. Outcomes deliver global benefits, from reducing carbon footprints through optimised use of industrial by-products to extending the service life of concrete structures in diverse environments.
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Quantitative Phase Analysis of Cementitious Materials publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in quantitative phase analysis of cementitious materials across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Quantitative Phase Analysis: A set of analytical methods to determine weight fractions of crystalline and amorphous components in multiphase materials.
Rietveld Method: A refinement technique that fits entire X-ray diffraction patterns to extract precise phase abundances and structural parameters.
Amorphous Phase: A disordered, non-crystalline material lacking long-range atomic order, often contributing to mechanical strength and durability in cement blends.
PONKCS Method: “Phases of No Known Crystal Structures” modelling that incorporates amorphous or poorly defined phases into Rietveld analyses.
Microtomography (µCT): High-resolution X-ray imaging that reconstructs three-dimensional microstructures, enabling volumetric segmentation of porosity and solid phases.
References
- Accuracy in Cement Hydration Investigations: Combined X-ray Microtomography and Powder Diffraction Analyses. Materials (2021).
- Impact of hydration stoppage on quantification of the GGBS content in ternary limestone cements using the PONKCS method. Materials and Structures (2023).
- Mix and measure II: joint high-energy laboratory powder diffraction and microtomography for cement hydration studies. Journal of Applied Crystallography (2024).
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