For cement quality control, loss on ignition (LOI) testing is a critical tool for evaluating material integrity. LOI data helps identify moisture and carbonation, which can negatively impact cement performance. With automated split loss on ignition using LECO’s TGA801, laboratories can obtain detailed LOI results at two distinct temperatures in a single, uninterrupted run, improving efficiency and consistency in cement LOI testing.
Understanding Split LOI Analysis for Cement Applications
Traditional loss on ignition cement analysis measures total mass loss after heating a sample to high temperature (often up to 1,000 °C). While this provides valuable information, it does not distinguish between different sources of mass loss.
Split LOI analysis addresses this by determining mass loss at two specific temperature ranges. In cement applications, these temperatures are typically:
- 550 °C—this temperature is associated with moisture and volatile loss.
- 950 °C—this temperature is associated with carbonate decomposition and carbon dioxide release.
By calculating the difference in residue mass between these two steps, laboratories can estimate carbon dioxide and moisture content to gain a better understanding of their cement composition. Split LOI is widely used to monitor cement quality and detect issues such as pre-hydration or carbonation caused by improper handling or prolonged storage.
Automated Split Loss on Ignition with the TGA801
The TGA801 is a macro thermogravimetric analyzer designed to simplify and speed up split LOI testing for cement and other materials. One of its key advantages is the ability to perform automated split LOI using just one method and only one user interaction.
Once samples are loaded and the analysis is started, the TGA801 automatically heats the sample from ambient temperature to 550 °C and records the LOI. It then continues directly to 950 °C and records the second LOI value. From there, it calculates split and total LOI without stopping the run, meaning there is no rehandling of samples. This single‑interaction split LOI workflow eliminates the need for multiple methods or manual intervention between temperature steps, reducing analysis time and minimizing any opportunities for error.
Automation = Speed
Automating split LOI analysis can significantly improve laboratory productivity. The TGA801 allows up to 19 cement samples to be analyzed simultaneously, making it well-suited for high‑throughput cement quality control testing. By removing manual steps between 550 °C and 950 °C, the TGA801 streamlines analyses, allowing labs to focus on interpreting results rather than managing the process.
Consistent, Reliable Results
Consistency is essential in automated LOI testing, especially when results support cement chemical analysis performed under methods such as ASTM C114. With the TGA801, all samples follow the same programmed method parameters, including temperature ramps, hold times, and airflow. This standardized approach supports improved repeatability between runs, reduces operator‑to‑operator variability, and thus, invokes greater confidence in split LOI and total LOI data.
Reliable split loss on ignition results help cement producers monitor raw materials, verify product quality, and support corrective actions when deviations occur.
A Smarter Approach to Cement LOI Analysis
For laboratories seeking a more efficient way to perform split loss on ignition analysis, LECO’s TGA801 delivers a clear advantage. It simplifies workflows while maintaining the accuracy and consistency required for trustworthy cement quality control. To learn more about LOI analysis, as well as moisture analysis using the TGA801, be sure to check out our on-demand webinar, “Moisture and LOI Determination in Cement, Fly Ash, Gypsum, and Lime”.
