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Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Zenica , Zenica , Bosnia and Herzegovina
Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Zenica , Zenica , Bosnia and Herzegovina
Heidelberg Materials Cement BiH , Kakanj , Bosnia and Herzegovina
Heidelberg Materials Cement BiH , Kakanj , Bosnia and Herzegovina
Faculty of mining, geology and petroleum engineering, University of Zagreb , Zagreb , Croatia
X-ray diffraction is a crucial method for characterizing crystalline materials, widely employed in the analysis of both products and raw materials in the cement industry, including clinker, cement, and limestone. Quantitative phase analysis via X-ray diffraction necessitates sophisticated computational tools to accurately interpret diffraction patterns. While commercial software like Topas is renowned for its precision, its high cost can be unaffordable for many academic and small-scale laboratories. This study assesses the reliability of Profex, an open-source graphical user interface for the BGMN Rietveld refinement engine, by comparing its performance against Topas in analyzing clinker, cement, and limestone samples. Our comparative analysis focuses on the quantification of major and minor phases, as well as the weighted profile R-factor as a measure of fit quality. Results indicate that Profex provides comparable accuracy to Topas in quantifying major phases such as alite, belite, and calcite. However, discrepancies arise in the quantification of minor phases and in Rwp values, suggesting potential limitations in Profex's refinement algorithms and peak fitting procedures. Despite these differences, Profex demonstrates potential as a cost-effective alternative for quantitative phase analysis, though caution is advised when interpreting results.
X-ray diffraction, quantitative phase analysis, Rietveld refinement, Profex, Topas, cement, clinker, limestone
We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina for Project "Calcined Clay Use in Cement and Concrete Production Aimed at Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions" (Grant No. 05-35-2116-1/22), which was essential to the successful completion of this research.
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