The method gives for the determination of the chloride content the total halogen content except for fluoride and expresses the result at Cl. The cement sample is decomposed with boiling dilute nitric acid. The dissolved chloride is precipitated using a known volume of a standard silver nitrate solution. To determine the carbon deoxide content the cement sample is treated with phosphoric acid to decompose the carbonate present. The carbon dioxide liberated is entrained in a current of carbon dioxide-free gas or air through a series of absorption tubes. The first two remove hydrogen sulphide and water and the following then absorb carbon dioxide. To determination of the alkali content a butane or propane flame is used to exite the alkalis to emit their characteristic spectrum in the visible range.