Testing How Your Mineral Performs in Application
For industrial minerals, chemical and physical specifications are just a starting point. The true value is determined by how the mineral performs when used in its final application. A silica sand may have perfect chemistry, but does it have the right thermal stability for foundry casting? A kaolin may be bright white, but does it have the correct rheological properties for paper coatings?
Our Industrial Performance Evaluation services are designed to answer these critical questions. We move beyond basic characterization to conduct functional, application-specific tests that simulate real-world industrial processes. This provides a direct measure of your product's performance and suitability for your customers.
We provide performance testing for a range of industries, including cement (e.g., strength, set time), ceramics (e.g., firing properties, shrinkage), paints & coatings (e.g., rheology, hiding power), and fertilizers (e.g., nutrient availability, crush strength). This analysis ensures your product is not just “on-spec” but is optimized for its end-use, maximizing its market value.
Key Performance Evaluation Activities
Cement & Construction Materials Testing
We verify the performance of raw materials (limestone, clay, gypsum) and final cement products according to standards like ASTM C150. This includes analyzing chemical composition (via XRF), as well as critical performance tests such as compressive strength of mortar cubes, setting time (Vicat), and soundness (autoclave expansion). We also test aggregates for abrasion, soundness, and reactivity. This testing is essential for ensuring product quality and compliance in the construction industry.
Ceramics, Fillers, & Pigment Performance
For minerals like kaolin, talc, calcium carbonate, and silica, we conduct a suite of functional tests tailored to their end-use. This includes measuring optical properties such as brightness and whiteness (critical for paper and paints) and rheology (viscosity) for coating applications. For ceramics, we test firing characteristics, shrinkage, and thermal stability. This application-specific testing verifies that your mineral will perform as expected in your customer’s process—the ultimate measure of quality.
Key Benefits of Industrial Performance Evaluation
Ensure End-Use Suitability
Confirms that your mineral’s physical and chemical attributes translate into functional performance in real industrial conditions.
Enhance Product Competitiveness
Application-based testing allows optimization for brightness, whiteness, and rheology—improving customer satisfaction and market differentiation.
Reduce Technical Risk
Identifies functional weaknesses before full-scale production or export, minimizing costly rejections or complaints.
Support R&D and Quality Improvement
Provides empirical data that supports product development, process refinement, and technical marketing initiatives.
Success Story
Brightness Testing Resolves Kaolin Shipment Rejection
A paper manufacturer rejected a 5,000-tonne shipment of kaolin clay, a critical coating pigment, claiming it did not meet the contractual specification for “ISO brightness.” The chemical analysis (XRF) was correct, but the product failed functionally.
BQCIS was called in as an independent umpire. We took representative samples and performed ISO 2470 brightness testing using a calibrated spectrophotometer, following standard preparation and measurement protocols.
Our independent testing confirmed the kaolin’s brightness was slightly below specification due to trace iron impurities. The objective data helped resolve the commercial dispute and redirect the shipment, preventing total loss while maintaining client trust.