Mineralogical characterization of ceramic raw materials by powder quantitative X-ray diffraction methods

The aim of this work is to characterize mineral phases present in raw material employed in the ceramics industry. In this way, two quantitative X-ray diffraction methods have been used, the Rietveld and the standardless methods have been used. The I results obtained by X-ray diffraction of these polycrystalline materials are compared with the corresponding chemica analyses and calculated normative composition. Precision and reproducibility of obtained results, in agreement with chemical analysis, are one of the most important advantage of quantitative X-ray diffractometry, as well as do easy their employ in the ceramic industry,to control mineral phases present in raw materials.