Industrial mineral commodity and end-use property testing
Characterisation

options include:

  • Mineralogical analysis by Thermo-Gravimetic Analysis (TGA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) for qualitative and quantitative identification of mineral composition
  • Chemical analysis by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) for determination of major and trace element chemical composition

Physical property testing options include:

  • Particle-size analysis using wet or dry sieving (screening) to determine particle-size of sand and gravel (for particles 63 microns and coarser) and X-ray Sedigraph analysis for silt and clay (for particle 63 microns and finer).
  • Mineral filler properties such as brightness (whiteness), pH, specific gravity, bulk density, oil absorption and water absorption.
  • Rheological properties for paper and ceramic raw materials including flowability, deflocculant demand, viscosity concentration & casting concentration.
  • Surface area determination for using EGME (for bentonite grade) and Nitrogen adsorption BET methods.
Examples of andalusite

Examples of andalusite.

BGS minerals personnel at Scrooby Quarry

BGS minerals personnel at Scrooby Quarry.


Clay testing for ceramic uses
  • Shrinkage & porosity of dry test pieces
  • Shrinkage and water absorption of fired test pieces
  • Atterberg plastic limit, liquid limit, plasticity index (cone penetrometer)
  • Bentonite swelling test
  • Cation exchange capacity (CEC)
Limestone and lime evaluation
  • Decrepitation and reactivity of burnt lime
  • Agricultural lime (aglime) property testing.
Construction aggregate property testing
  • Relative density and water absorption
  • Aggregate impact value (AIV)
  • Aggregate crushing value (ACV)
  • Los Angeles abrasion value (LAAV)
  • Polished Stone value (PSV).

Further information on industrial minerals can be found here: http://www.bgs.ac.uk/mineralsuk/planning/industrial.html and here: http://www.bgs.ac.uk/mineralsuk/mines/industrial.html

For further information please contact:

Clive J Mitchell
Industrial minerals specialist
British Geological Survey,
Nicker Hill, Keyworth,
Nottingham, NG12 5GG, United Kingdom
Tel. +44 115 936 3257 Fax. +44 115 936 3520