MM0900106

Jour. Myan. Acad. Arts & Sc. 2005 Vol. III. No. 3(i) Physics

The Study of the Elemental Concentrations

in the Some Rocks and Cements in Myanmar
Khin Mar Kyu1, Yi Yi Myint2, San Yee3

Abstract
X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry is an analytical technique widely
•used for elemental analysis in both industrial and research laboratories. In
this paper, energy dispersive x-ray technique was used in nine rock samples
and five cement samples to measure the elemental concentrations. By using
. EDX-700, silicon was found as major element contained in one rock
sample, chlorine was found as major element contained in four rock
samples, calcium was found as, major element contained in two rock
samples and iron was found.as major element contained in two rock
samples. In all cement samples, calcium was found as major element.

Introduction
X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry is an analytical technique
widely used for elemental analysis in both industrial and research
laboratories'-2'3. XRF spectrometry is capable of determining all the elements
in the periodic table between sodium and uranium (including electronegative
elements such as chlorine, phosphorus, sulphur, bromine and iodine) to
detection limits often in the 1-10 ug g"1 range2.
In the present work, the EDXRF machine (EDX-700) is used for
determining the major elements in nine rock samples and five cement
samples. The machine can provide the information of elements from sodium
to uranium'(Na-U). The x-ray tube was operated at 50 kV, 27 uA in air. The
x-ray beam from rhodium (Rh) target, which was set to pass through the 10
mm collimator, was allowed to excite the samples for 100 seconds. The
characteristic of each element contained in each samples detected by the Si
(Li) detector. The x-ray spectrum displayed on the monitor of computer was
analyzed b y u sing h igh performance FP (Fundamental P arameter) s oftware.
The experimental work performed at Unversities' Research Center, University
ofYangon.

1. Department of Physics, University of Pyay

2. Department of Physics, University of Yangon
3. Department of Physics, University ofYangon
108 Jour. Myan. Acad. Arts & Sc. 2G05 Vol. III. No. 3(i) Physics

Sample Collection
For the present research work, rock samples were personally collected
irom the Department of Geology, University of Pyay and the cement samples
are collected from the building material shops are shown in Tables l(a) and

Table l(a) The sample collections of the nine kinds of rock

Sample Kinds of rock Observed Place
SI Limestone Nayputaung. Pyay Fsp
S2 Serpentinite Yegar Inn, North of Sagaing
S3 Schist Sagaing Tsp
S4 Andeside Popa, Kyautpantaung Tsp
S5 Phlogopite,Graphite Mogok
marble
S6 Hornblende Granite Kywedatson, Yinmarbin Tsp
S7 Bonded Gneiss Kywedatson, Yinmarbin Tsp
S8 Augen Gneiss Kywedatson, Ymmarbin Tsp
S9 Syenite Mogok

Table l(b) The sample collections of the five kinds of cement

Sample Kinds of cement Production
Cl Kyant Myaing Galay
C2 Myin Pyan Myaing Galay
C3 Siam Thailand
C4 Myin Gaung Kyan Khin
C5 AAA Kyauk Se
 Jour. Myan. Acad, Arts & Sc, 2005 Vol. III. No, 3(i) Physics

Sample preparation
The samples were ground into fine powder by using grinding machine.
And the powder was poured into a die, made of steel and pressed into pellet in
4 tons weight of hydraulic press, SPECAC Cambridge Electric Industries. The
diameter of pellet is 2.5cm.

* -EDXRF Spectrometer'EDX-700
The main components of XRF spectrometer are x-ray generator, x-ray
tube, collimators, filters, counting unit, analyzing crystal assembly, measuring
and electronics and terminal computer. The EDX-700 can automatically
identify all elements in the sample based upon a library of x-ray data. The
Fundamental Parameter or FP method of analysis is an important analysis
method. Based on this, the EDX-700 is provided with high performance FP
software as standard. In addition to this standard feature, quantitative
information is also provided.

Measurement. Condition of EBXRF Speetrometry EDX-700

In p resent w ork, the s amples w ere p laced i n t he s ample c hamber o f
EDX-700 spectrometer, .which can measure eighteen samples at a time. A
large sample chamber with an automatic opening and closing door was used.
After closing the door the chamber was pumped up to vacuum. The vacuum
pressure was about (38 pa) and the detector temperature is about (-170°C), the
EDX-700 was put into operation. Each sample was run for about 100 seconds
and the spectra were analyzed in IBM/PC using EDX-700 software. The
schematic diagrams of a. sequential x-ray spectrometer were shown in Fig 1
and 2. .
Ail the samples prepared in this work were analyzed by EDXRF
(EDX-700), which has an Rh anode tube. EDX-700 x-ray tube was operated at
(5-50) kV, (I-IOOO)ILA auto adjust in air. Cooling method is LN2 cooling
system. The characteristic of each element contained in each sample detected
by the Si (Li) detector.
110 Jour. MymuAcad. Arts & Sc. 2005 Vol. III. No. 3(i) Physics

Fig -1 The photo of Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer

mri

Fig-,2 Functional diagram of the EDX - 700 spectrometer

Jour. Myan. Acad. Arts & Sc. 2095 Vol. III. No. 3(i) Physics

The measurement condition of EDX-700

Sample : Nine
Nine rock
rock samples and five cement
samples
Instrument EDX-700
Atmosphere Air
Collimator 10 mm
Spin Off
Target Rh
X-ray tube voltage 50 kV
Current 20 pA
Acquire energy range 0-40 k eV
Analyte energy range : 0-40 keV
Real time : 100 sec
Dead time : . 26%
The measurements of the elemental concentration in nine rock samples
and five cement samples were mentioned in Table 2 and Table 3.
 5

t
i»4

I
Sample/

H
>

u
U

CO
i^
o
3

as
UH

c
Element

<u
•ft

iz
CO
>-
.a

1
1
•
•

1
i

-o
•
1.112
•

95.348 2.245 0.581 0.029 0.68

•
t

CO
t

1
1

28.362 2.477 2.47 61.248 5.45

fi
to
•
d
•

•
•

74.07 5.667 2.587 1.46 0.278 0.39 15.291 0.109 0.05

!
•

CO
r">
r*i
4.725. 26.842 0.23 0.435 56.04 0.54 2.574 0.247 3.69
i-^

in
i

t
i

. i
t

i
o
t

r^
1
•

1.283 97.277 0.148 0.08

I

i
I
•

sO
CO
>

72.006 1.911 6.722 1.24- 0.37 . 17.299 0.243 0.122

t
I

I
1

•
. o

83.012 2.801 2.539 0.67 - 0.22 10.362 0.082 0.3 n

•

•
1

CO
OO
86.376 6.727 1.443 0.341 0.26 4.16 0.046 0.04 0.061
•

m
;

i>

!N
•
1

•n

r—
i.N

•
ro

CO
CO

OS
cs 12.47 5.243 0.255 0.28 0.208 0.1 0.091
 Jour. Myan. Acad, Arts & Sc. 20G5 Vol. IIL No. 3(i) Physics 113

Table 3 Elemental concentrations in cement samples by using EDX-700

Sample/Element K Ca Ti Mn Fe . Cu Sr Zr
Cl 2.012 87.462 0.873 - 9.078 - 0.506 0.068
C2 - 89.32 0.897 - 9.304 - • 0.48 -
C3 2.152 86.796 0.871 - 9.505 - 0.508 -
C4 1.462 89.368 0.626 0.17 7.347 - ' . 1.197 • -
C5 2.378 87.368 0.681 .- 9.253 0.108 0.212 -

Silicon Concentrations in Rock I ! Chlorine Concentraions In Rock

Sam piss. j Samples

100 i
70 '
80 -j
ao
i
g -a to • I J? 70 i
30
*1 y « 40
10 '
y 20 •
10 • 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 6
0 ' 0
1 2 3 4 5 Sample

Fig 3 Silicon Concentrations in Fig 4 Chlorine Concentrations in Rock

Samples Rock Samples

Potassium Concentrations Srs Rock

| Calcium Concentrations in Rock
Sam pies !
Samples

120
a 100
"5 J? SO
60

1
1 2 3 4 S 7 8 8
Sample

Fig 5 Potassium Concentrations Fig 6 Calcium Concentrations

in Rock Samples in Rock Samples
114 Jour. Myan. Acad. Arts & Sc. 2005 Vol. III. No. 3(i) Physics

Titanium Concentrations In Rock Vanadium Concentrations In Rock

Samples Samples

O.M •

1
V
0.2 •

•SI 0.15
tjFi
* l
0.03 <

1 2 3 4 5 9 7 e 9

Sample

Fig 7 Titanium Concentrations in Fig 8 Vanadium Concentrations in Rock

Samples Rock Samples

Chromium Concentrations In Rock Manganese Concentrations In

Samples Rock Samples

*
.2 <-
3 *
«8.
S•
a » 1
0.5

2 3 4 S 6 7 S 9

Sample

Fig 9 Chromium Concentrations Fig 10 Manganese Concentrations in in Rock

Samples Rock Samples
 Jour. Myan. Acad. Arts & Sc. 2005 Vol. III. No. 3(i) Physics 115
I Iron Concentrations In Rock Nickel Concentrations In Rock
Samples Samples

a •

• .
5 <
I
4 •
1
I- 1 • |
1 2 3 4 5 a 7 a g

Sample
1
Fig 11 Iron Concentrations in Rock Fig 12 Nickel Concentrations in Rock
Samples Samples

Copper Concentrations In Rock Strontium Concentrations In Rock

Samples Samples

C.6 <

•
i
|,0.3.

1
0
a
0.1 >

1 2 3
1
4 5

Sample
8 7 8 »

Fig 13 Copper Concentrations in Fig 14 Strontium Concentrations

Rock Samples in Rock Samples
116 Jour. Myan. Acad. Arts & Sc. 2005 Vol. III. No. 3(i) Physics

Yttrium Concentrations In Zirconium Concentrations in Rock

Rock Sample Samples

0.15
0.12
0.3
s 0.1
•1
% «o . 03

B fo.OS <
y
.04 •
a
O 0 .02 • 0.05
0- 0
1 2 3 4 6 6 7 8 9 I ! 2 3 * 5 6 7 8 3

Sampl* ' ! Sampls

Fig 15 Yttrium Concentrations in Fig 16 Zirconium Concentrations in Rock

Rock Samples Samples

Ruthenium Concentrations In Rock Erbium Concentration In Rock

Samples Samples

4 1 . o.a
e.r

[J m 2.5

* 'S Is"
a s
o.s
11 M
O O.J
0
2 3 4 5 « "7 e.2

Sample 0.1
t * S T

Fig 17 iluthenium Concentrations in Fig 18 Erbium Concentrations in Rock

Rock Samples Samples
Jour. Myan, Acad. Arts & Sc. 2005 Vol. EEL No. 3(i) Physics 117

Potassium Concentrations in Calcium Concentrations

Cement Samples Cement Samples

2.5

£ 2
O ~.

3 o>
0.5

C1 C2 C3 C4 C5

Sam pi© Sam pie

Fig 19 Potassium Concentrations Fig 20 Calcium Concentrations in Cement in

Cement Samoles Samples

Titanium Concentrations In Manganese Concentrations In

Cement Samples Ce me r:t Samples

.18
.1S
ion

.14
.12
0.1
Concen

.08
0)
.06
.04
.02
0
C1 C2 C3 C4 C6
C1 C2 C3 04 C5

Sam pis Sam pie

Fig 21 Titanium Concentrations in Fig 22 Manganese Concentrations Cement

Samples in Cement Samples
118 Jour. Myan. Acad. Arts & Sc, 2005 Vol. III. No. 3(i) Physics

Iron Concentrations !n Csment Copper Concentrations !n Cement

Samples SampSes

0.1Z
10
9
S
7
0.08
S
5
_O 0.06
4
3
% 2
1 4)
W 0.02 •
0

C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 i
"6
o Cl C3 C4 CS
Sample SampSe
_l I
Fig 23 Iron Concentrations in Fig 24 Copper Concentrations in Cement
Cement Samples Simples

Strontium Concentrations in Zircon urn Concentration In

Cement Samples Cement Samples

1.4 < 0.38 •

c
e -
1.2 •

i
c ^^
o
J3
0.07

O.OS '
•

n
1
•
ightc
strati

antra

0.05 <
o£ C.8 •
0.04 •

Oi o o 0.03 •
o c ^>
« 0.4 •
a 9 I IS
I
c 0.02 • MB
o ^^
o fa IK H
o *""' 0.2 •
0 "
C1 C2 03 C4 CS
o 0.01 •
1
a C2 C3 C4 C5

Sam pie Sample

Fig 25 Strontium Concentrations Fig 26 . Zirconium Concentrations in

in Cement Samples Cement Samples
 J&ur. My&B. Acad, Arts & Sc 2005 Vol. III. No. 3(i) Physics 119

Results and Discussion

According to the measurement data of nine rock samples and five
cement samples using EDX-70G, Table 2 and Table 3, we carried out as the
comparison graphs, Fig 3 to Fig 26. The silicon was found as major element
contained in one rock sample S3 (74.07%) and the chlorine was found as
major element contained in the four rock samples S6? S7, S8 and S9, above
72.XM)6% but not contained in other samples. The element, calcium was found
as major element contained in the two rock samples SI (95.348%) and S5
(97.277%), The iron was found as major element contained in the two rock
samples S2 (61.248%) and S4 (56.04%). The calcium was found as major
element contained in all cement samples above 86.796%.

Conclusion
We hope that the information and results of this paper will be useful
for finding minerals and will support to differentiate the kinds of rocks and
production of mineral in Myanmar. And we can observe the consistency .of the
elemental concentrations in cement.

Acknowledgements
I am a highly grateful thanks to Professor Dr Sein Htoon, PhD {Surrey) CPhys
FInstP {London), Head of Department of Physics (IT) and Dean of Faculty of Engineering,
University of Yangon for his permission to do and his encouragement throughout this paper.
I would like to express thank to Dr Tun Khin, Pro-Rector and Head of Department of
Universities' Research Centre, University of Yangon allowing me to do the research for
EDXRF technique.

References
R E V Grieken and A A Markowicz, (1993) "Hand Book of X-ray Spectrometry" (New
York, Marcle Dekker)
R Tertian and F Clsisse, (1982) "Principle of Quantitative X-ray Fluorescence Analysis"
(London: Heyden)
R Van Grieken, A Markowicz and P Veny, (1991). X-ray Spectrometry (New York, Marcel
Dekker)