High-resolution synchrotron powder diffraction analysis of ordinary Portland cements: Phase coexistence of alite

The mineralogical composition of four commercial and NIST RM-8488 Portland clinkers have been analysed by Rietveld methodology using high-resolution synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data. Alite phase coexistence has been observed in four patterns. White Portland clinkers show a single alite or a very small amount of a second alite with smaller volume due to higher magnesium content. Grey Portland clinkers show a much pronounced alite phase coexistence which has been related to higher magnesium contents. Details about these analyses are given. Furthermore, the full mineralogical composition (including the non-diffracting content) has been determined from the overestimation of the added standard, α-Al2O3, in the Rietveld analyses. White clinkers contain ∼15 wt.% of non-diffracting content while this fraction is much smaller in grey clinkers, ∼7 wt.%.