mineraalcomponent

Mineraalcomponent is a term used to describe the inorganic, crystalline part of a material — its mineralogical composition. It refers to the mixture and relative abundance of mineral phases that make up the solid matrix. In geology and materials science, the mineral component is typically expressed as modal abundance (by weight or volume) and can be reported as a set of mineral percentages or fractions.

In rocks, common mineral components include quartz, feldspar, mica, amphibole, pyroxene, calcite, and dolomite, depending on rock type. In soils, the mineral fraction consists of silicates such as quartz and feldspars, clay minerals, and carbonates; the mineral component largely governs physical properties like porosity, density, strength, and fertility. In engineered materials, the mineral component influences processes and properties such as durability, thermal stability, hardness, and microstructure.

Determination methods for the mineral component include X-ray diffraction (XRD) with quantitative phase analysis or Rietveld refinement, petrographic microscopy for modal analysis, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) for elemental composition, and electron microprobe analysis for mineral chemistry. Additional techniques such as scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) can aid in identifying phases and textures, while ICP-OES or ICP-MS can quantify total elemental content related to the mineral fraction.

Significance: Knowledge of the mineral component supports rock classification, interpretation of geological history, and resource assessment. It guides industrial processing, predictability of weathering, and material performance. Note that in nutrition, minerals refer to inorganic elements in foods; the term minaaralcomponent is primarily used in geology and mineralogy to denote mineral phases.