X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis for Testing Raw Materials and Products of the Refractories Industry.

Because of the time factor, the classical analytical methods are no longer suitable for process control and quality control in the refractories industry. The subject of this paper is therefore the application of various methods of x-ray fluorescence analysis in process and quality control of magnesia, magnesia-chromite, silica, and alumina refractories. In the case of the x-ray fluorescence-powder method and the x-ray fluorescence-tablet method, systematic investigations were conducted of millability, fineness, effects of grain size in sample preparation, and interaction of elements. In the case of the x-ray fluorescence fusion-process the investigation of the homogeneity of the fused samples is considered of prime importance. With regard to analytical exactness, comparisons were made with wet-chemical methods.