Mineralogy
An optical or electronic microscopy study of mineral phases provide a crucial addition to chemical profiling for the processing of solid materials. This enables similar composition phases to be accurately differentiated, where properties or usages may differ, and enables the more or less complex structure of these phases to be viewed.
This includes, but is not limited to:
- The determination of formation conditions for a geological deposit;
- An assessment of the liberation mesh and therefore the optimisation of the grinding or separation process;
- The identification of the nature of mineral phases present, and therefore the adaptation of sorting procedures based on the properties of these mineral phases;
- A view of the formation of new phases at the time of the formulation of materials (concrete, geopolymers);
- The determination of the presence of impurities discarding some valorisation ways (aluminium metal can cause swelling, for example).
Different types of materials can be examined through thin sections, polished sections, powders or event objects:
- Mineral: mineralogical and petrographical studies;
- Slag, clinker;
- Construction materials;
- Binders (cements, geopolymers);
- Recycled materials (fibres, demolition waste, etc.).
