← All services
Technical services
Material Characterization
Chemical, mineralogical, thermal and physical assessment of clays and supplementary cementitious materials.
Full description
NC4SCM characterises clays, limestone, fly ash, cement and other candidate construction materials to assess their suitability for cementitious applications. Chemical composition, mineral phases, thermal behaviour and particle size are considered alongside reactivity, hydration and performance results.
The assessment helps identify suitable materials, compare sources and select processing conditions. Test programmes are tailored to the material and the client’s technical question, with specialist analyses coordinated through collaborating laboratories when required.
Methods & capabilities
- X-ray diffraction (XRD) for mineral phase identification.
- DTG–TGA and loss on ignition for thermal changes and mass loss.
- FTIR and SEM–EDS for complementary structural and microstructural assessment.
- Particle-size distribution and fineness assessment.
- Isothermal calorimetry for hydration behaviour and R3 reactivity.
- Methylene blue value testing for supplementary screening.
- Interpretation of results alongside mortar/concrete performance.
- X-ray fluorescence (XRF) for chemical composition.
Typical deliverables
- Characterisation report with test conditions, results and interpretation.
- Chemical composition, mineralogical and thermal findings.
- Particle-size, hydration and reactivity results for the agreed tests.
- Comparison of candidate materials and suitability recommendations.
- Recommendations for processing or further performance testing.