The purpose of the LAM is to analyse raw materials, test formulations and carry out quality control throughout the local material production process, from raw materials to finished products. It seeks out product standards and ensures compliance with their applicability.

Three types of laboratory are functional:

• Raw material analysis laboratory: grain size, cement tests, plasticity, extrusion, stabilisation rate etc.
• Heat treatment laboratory: firing and cooling rates, steaming of materials etc.
• Quality control laboratory: Mechanical resistance, volumetric mass, density, water absorption, shrinkage, permeability, fusibility, specific surface of powders etc.

ANALYSES CARRIED OUT AT THE MIPROMALO MATERIAL ANALYSIS LABORATORY

Raw materials (clays, laterites, sands)

1. Granulometric analysis : Wet sieving and sedimentometry
2. Methylene blue test
3. Firing tests
4. Plasticity test
5. Loss on ignition
6. Free swelling
7. Water Absorption
8. Sand equivalent test
9. Sand equivalent test

Cements

1. Binding test
2. Density
3. Hydration heat
4. Specific surface areas (blaines)

Rocks for dimension stones and limestones

1. Size test
2. Wear resistance
3. Water Absorption
4. Calcination
5. Carbonate content

Wood

1. Moisture content
2. Ash content

Enamels and Frits

1. Fusibility study
2. Products (Fired bricks, CEB, roof tiles, pavers)
3. Water Absorption
4. Mechanical resistance
5. Bulk density
6. Permeability
7. Impact resistance