Standards Development

Scope

This document specifies the methods for the chemical analysis of cement.

This document describes the reference methods and, in certain cases, an alternative method which can be considered to be equivalent. In the case of a dispute, only the reference methods are used.

An alternative performance-based method using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is described for SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, CaO, MgO, SO3, K2O, Na2O, TiO2, P2O5, Mn2O3, SrO, Cl and Br. This method is based on beads of fused sample and analytical validation using certified reference materials, together with performance criteria. A method based on pressed pellets of un-fused sample can be considered as equivalent, providing that the analytical performance satisfies the same criteria.

An alternative performance-based method using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) is described for SO3.

When correctly calibrated according to the specified procedures and reference materials, XRF and ICP-OES provides methods equivalent to the reference methods but has not been validated for use yet as a reference procedure for conformity and dispute purposes. They can be applied to other relevant elements when adequate calibrations have been established.

Any other methods can be used provided they are calibrated, either against the reference methods or against internationally accepted reference materials, in order to demonstrate their equivalence.

This document describes methods which apply principally to cements, but which can also be applied to their constituent materials. They can also be applied to other materials, the standards for which call up these methods. Standard specifications state which methods are to be used.