Qualitative Analysis of Natural Pozzolanas, Fly Ashes, and Blast Furnace Slags by XRD

Abstract

This paper contributes to the knowledge of materials known as active additions, which can be added to Portland cement to give it properties that improve its performance behavior. This knowledge is obtained by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), which in a few minutes gives a spectrum by which the crystalline phases can be identified by its peaks, as well as some information concerning noncrystalline constituents, from the position and form of the diffuse band. According to these data, the type of addition can be analyzed and from here, the activity or lack thereof, of the added material. Active additions can modify properties of cement, increasing or decreasing its durability. The identification of active additions results in improved behavior.