Quantitative Rietveld analysis of cements is now a common tool in both industry and research.  Many papers analyse cements without any additional sample preparation over and above the grinding carried out by the manufacturer.  The particle sizes in cements are usually in the range of 25-40μm, which is much coarser than recommended in texts dealing with particle statistics in diffraction.

Coarse particles will have an effect on the particle statistics and consequently the reproducibility of the relative peak intensities.  A systematic study has been undertaken to examine the effect of particle statistics on the results from Rietveld analysis of cements, and the influence of reducing the particle size by micronizing. In addition, the effects of changing divergence slit size and use of sample rotation have been examined.

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