Determination of the major, minor, and trace element mass fractions in Iranian cement by INAA and WDXRF

Abstract

The elemental composition of three different Iranian cement samples was determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis with the aim of quality control. The mass fractions for 4 major (Ca, Si, Fe, Al) and the 21 minor and trace elements (Mg, V, Mn, Na, As, La, Sb, Sm, U, Ba, Ce, Co, Cr, Eu, Hf, Sc, Sr, Th, Zn, S, K) were determined. X-ray fluorescence analysis was also used. The results obtained by both methods for Na, Mg, Fe, Ca, and Al are in good agreement. On the whole, the Iranian cement quality is quite acceptable according to national and international standards.