Application of thermal methods in raw material control and during the production process

The paper deals with rapid water detection in welding fluxes by means of a CWA equipment (carbon/water analyzer). Water or carbon dioxide released by heating from minerals or technical products is detected by means of IR absorption spectroscopy. The influence of grain size on the water content of minerals is discussed. The given examples show that the water release temperatures are more important than the total water contents in respect to the possible use of the raw materials.