Quantitative Mineral Analysis by X-ray diffraction (XRD)
The sand/silt and clay fractions are analyzed separately, with the clay fraction analyzed dry (relative humidity=50%) and, then again, after treatment with ethylene glycol to identify and quantify any smectitic clays. X-ray diffraction analysis provides the weight percentages of the rock-forming minerals (e.g., quartz, feldspars, carbonates) and the specific clay minerals (e.g., kaolinite, chlorite, illite, smectite, and mixed-layer illite/smectite). Mineralogical analyses will aid in the interpretation/calibration of wireline logs, and may be helpful in delineating diagenetic facies.