Cement Clinker Preparation and Microscopic Examination
In this upcoming webinar, experts from LECO will explore the role of cement clinkers as a critical quality checkpoint in Portland cement manufacturing. Attendees will gain an overview of how clinker microstructure reflects raw material selection, kiln conditions, and cooling rates, and why clinker analysis enables faster feedback and process control than testing finished cement alone.
The presentation will walk through best practices for metallographic preparation of cement clinkers, including sectioning, mounting, grinding, polishing, and etching. Special emphasis will be placed on addressing common preparation challenges such as clinker brittleness, porosity, and moisture sensitivity, ensuring that microstructural features are preserved for accurate evaluation.
Participants will also see examples of microscopic clinker features—including key phases, morphology, distribution, and porosity—and learn how these observations can be used to troubleshoot kiln operation, optimize processing conditions, and improve overall cement quality.
Presenter: Steve Reilly (Metallurgist, LECO)
