Sample preparation of cement clinker

Cement clinker is the intermediate product in cement production. It is created when a mixture of limestone, clay, and other aggregates is fired in a rotary kiln at temperatures of approximately 1400–1450 °C. The resulting hardened, ceramic lumps—the clinker—are then processed into cement by finely crushing them in a grinding process and mixing them with additives such as gypsum.

During processing, the clinker is first mechanically crushed, usually using mills (e.g., ball, vertical, or roller mills) to achieve homogeneous fine grinding. In the laboratory, this processing often takes place under controlled conditions to precisely monitor parameters such as particle size distribution, mix moisture content, and temperature. Similar processes are used in pilot plants, but usually on a larger scale and continuously.