Characterization of ceramic oxide refractories by XRF and XRD

The present study was undertaken to establish a methodology for characterizing ceramic oxide refractory materials, as no detailed information could be found in the literature on this point. The following refractories were analysed: two silica, one alumina, one silica–alumina, two zirconium, three chrome and three magnesia refractories. X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry was used for chemical characterization and x‐ray diffraction (XRD) for phase analysis. Phases were determined because of their influence on the end properties of refractory materials. Five analytical programmes for XRF analysis and an XRD analysis method were established. We optimized sample preparation in the form of beads for the XRF measurement by determining the most appropriate sample/flux ratio for each type of refractory. Calibration and validation standards were prepared from mixtures of reference materials, owing to the scarcity of refractory reference materials. The chemical and phase composition of different ceramic oxide refractory bricks was determined and related to the deterioration of these refractories in industrial service, because refractories with a similar chemical composition and different crystalline phases can exhibit different properties. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.