In general, cement is a construction material often made from natural rock and organic materials. Cement can be classified into different types depending on the main constituent of the cement, like Portland cement and hydraulic cement.
The key properties of different types of cement are their compressive strength, density and hardness. Read more about the different types of cement and their uses in this article.
What is cement?
Cement is a construction material made from a mixture of cement, water, sand, and gravel. Concrete, mortar, stucco, and grout are made of cement.
Cement is made by heating limestone (calcium carbonate) with small amounts of other materials (such as clay) to create a powder that is then mixed with water and aggregates to form concrete. The water reacts with the cement to form a paste that binds the aggregates together.
Concrete is the most widely used construction material in the world and is made from a mix of cement, water, sand, and gravel. It is strong and durable, making it ideal for both commercial and residential applications.
Mortar is a paste made from cement, water, sand, and lime that is used to bind bricks or stones together. It is weaker than concrete but can be used in situations where a stronger material is not required.
Stucco is a plaster-like material made from cement, sand, lime, and water. It is commonly used as a finish for walls and ceilings.
Grout is a binding agent made from cement and water that is used to fill gaps between tiles.
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Hydraulic Cement Vs. Non-Hydraulic Cement
There are two main types of cement: the first is hydraulic and second is non-hydraulic.
Hydraulic cement is made with calcium, silicon, aluminum, iron, and other minerals, and it hardens when water is added. Non-hydraulic cement is made with just calcium and silica, and it hardens when exposed to air.
Hydraulic cement is the most common type of cement. It’s used in concrete, mortar, stucco, and grout. It’s also used to seal pipes and cracks in concrete structures.
Non-hydraulic cement is not as common as hydraulic cement, but it has its uses. It’s often used in plaster and stucco because it doesn’t need water to harden.
Both hydraulic and non-hydraulic cement have their pros and cons. Hydraulic cement is more versatile and stronger, but it can be susceptible to cracking if the water to cement ratio is too high. Non-hydraulic cement is easier to work with and doesn’t crack as easily, but it’s not as strong as hydraulic cement.
Which type of cement you use will depend on your project. If you’re doing something that needs to be very strong, like a concrete foundation, you should use hydraulic cement. If you’re just doing something like stucco or plaster, non-hydraulic cement may be a better choice.
Types of cement
1. Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC)
There are many different types of cement, but Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) is the most common. It is made from a mixture of limestone and clay, and is used as a binding agent in concrete and mortar.
OPC is strong and durable, making it ideal for use in construction projects. It can be used for both commercial and residential applications. OPC is also easy to work with, so it is a popular choice for do-it-yourselfers.
What’s more, its use goes back hundreds of years. In fact, it was used to build the pyramids in Egypt.
When these structures were built, no one knew that OPC contained iron oxide (commonly known as rust). Over time, this material corrodes and weakens the cement, which can cause cracks and other problems.
For this reason, many people have switched to newer types of cement that are less likely to form rust.
2. Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC)
Portland Pozzolana Cement is a type of cement that is widely used in construction. This cement is made by mixing Portland cement with pozzolanic materials such as fly ash, rice husk ash, or ground limestone.
PPC is known for its strength and durability, making it an ideal choice for construction projects. It is also resistant to heat and chemicals, making it a good choice for use in hostile environments.
Portland Pozzolana Cements are usually composed of Portland cement, silica fume, fly ash and ground limestone.
Ground limestone is often used as an alternative to fly ash since it has similar properties and is more readily available in some parts of the world.
As far as heat resistance is concerned, PPCs are more resistant than conventional Portland cement due to their ability to absorb large quantities of water.
This absorption takes place during hardening and results in a higher degree of heat resistance.
The harder materials present in the concrete surrounding the PPC further enhance its heat resistance.
In addition, this type of cement has been known to maintain its strength at temperatures up to 1200 degrees Celsius and above; temperatures high enough to make ordinary concrete turn into a liquid.
As you can see, PPCs are some of the most useful and versatile cements available today. Their performance characteristics make them suitable for many different applications.
Some other areas where PCS have been used successfully include concrete repair and high strength concrete construction.
In addition, there are a number of underwater applications for this product as well. So, if you’re looking for a way to increase the durability of your concrete project, consider using PPCs.
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3. Rapid Hardening Cement
Rapid hardening cement is a type of cement that sets and hardens quickly. It is used in construction projects where time is of the essence.
This type of cement is made with high-alumina content and calcium sulfate. Rapid hardening cement is used for concrete, mortar, and grout. It can be used in cold weather applications and has a high compressive strength.
Rapid-hardening cement is sold in bags or bulk. The bags are typically lighter than concrete and can be transported easily.
They are available in different forms including dry powder, mortar mix and pre-mixed for specific applications.
One advantage of using a rapid-hardening cement is that it has a low shrinkage rate compared to traditional concrete; thus, less cracks and joints are formed.
Rapid hardening cement is used for many different types of construction projects including bridges, roads, foundations and dams.
They can also be used for waterproofing structures, tunnels, roofs and floors.
The most common type of rapid-hardening cement used today is Portland Cement
Type I which sets at 30 degrees Fahrenheit while Portland Cement
Type II sets between 45 degrees and 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
These are the most common types of Portland cement used in concrete construction because they are easy to mix, work with, and cure relatively quickly.
Rapid-hardening cement is not only found in the construction industry; it can also be used in the manufacturing of fiberglass insulation and in flooring products.
It can also be used in the manufacture of metal pipes and metal tools.
Cement is also used extensively in the construction industry, specifically in concrete and masonry products, to help create a stronger bond between hard materials, like stone and concrete.
As these items are exposed to water or moisture for lengthy periods of time, they tend to swell or expand slightly. Rapid-hardening cement helps prevent this from occurring.
Rapid-hardening cement is manufactured in several different types which include: Portland-slag cement; silica fume cement; fly ash cement; blast furnace slag cement; pozzolana (volcanic) cement and slag cements containing fly ash or ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS).
It is important not to substitute one type of cement for another as they each have different properties.
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4. Quick Setting Cement
There are many different types of cement, and each has its own unique uses. Quick setting cement is one type that is often used in construction.
This cement sets quickly, so it is ideal for projects that need to be completed in a short time frame.
It is also strong and durable, making it a good choice for both indoor and outdoor projects.
5. Low Heat Cement/ Ultra Low Heat Generation Concrete
When it comes to construction, cement is one of the most important materials. It’s a binding agent that helps hold together bricks, stones, and other materials used in building.
There are different types of cement, each with its own properties and uses.
One type of cement is low heat cement, also known as ultra-low heat generation concrete.
This type of cement is ideal for use in areas where high temperatures could be a problem, such as in buildings near volcanoes or in desert regions.
Low heat cement has a lower rate of heat generation than regular cement, making it safer and more stable to use.
This cement is used in applications ranging from high-rise buildings to parking lots, and from residential homes to commercial projects.
Here are some of the most common uses for low heat cement:
- Foundation walls for new concrete structures
- Shoring for oil and gas drilling operations
- As a base layer on building platforms
- Shoring for mining operations (high temperature drill holes)
- Expansion joints for bridges and elevated roadways,
- Property stabilization in areas at risk of salt water intrusion (as a substitute to regular concrete)
- Placement below ground level (i.e. in tunnels)
- Pile caps for underground utility installations
- Mortar for concrete stamp pads in road construction
Low heat cement can also be used as a finishing material, where high temperatures are not a factor.
It is commonly used on exterior and interior walls to provide better fire resistance (in the case of exterior walls), or to provide better moisture protection and thermal insulation (interior walls).
It is also used as an interior plaster finish.
In the US, low heat cement is not recognized as a substitute for regular Portland cement. CSA (Canadian Standards Association) has only recently accepted it in structural applications at shallow depths.
In Europe, where this type of cement was developed and its use has existed for over 40 years, it has been recognized as a full substitute for Portland cement.
It is the first alternative to Portland cement that has ever been officially approved on such a broad scale by any authoritative body or government agency.
Low heat cement can be used in place of regular Portland cement in concrete blocks, with no need to change the production equipment, provided certain precautions are taken:
- Because low heat cement can affect the strength of concrete, it should not be used to manufacture concrete products in which strength must be maintained at a certain level, such as pre-stressed concrete and bridge girders.
- Low heat cement takes longer to harden than regular Portland cement. It should not be used in equipment cooled by water or air (air-entrained) or in kilns where cooling is accomplished by the continuous use of cooling towers (continuous wet process).
- Low heat cement sets at room temperature (25 degrees C) and therefore requires more time for handling, transport, and storage than Portland cement. Its setting time is approximately three hours; its minimum traditional compressive strength is 28 days.
- Because low heat cement sets slowly, it should be mixed with cement that has a conventional setting time if it is to be used for construction.
- Low heat cement should not be used in hot weather because it does not set well at high temperatures (at least 28 days).
- If left exposed to the weather, low heat cement gets covered with salt crystals and becomes very brittle.
- The cost of low heat cement is slightly higher than that of Portland cement; therefore, the production volume must be large to make its use economical.
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6. Sulphate Resisting Cement
Sulphate Resisting Cement (SRC) is a type of cement that is resistant to sulphate. It is used in concrete that is exposed to sulphates, such as in foundations, floors and walls.
SRC is also used in sewage works, septic tanks and other similar applications. Sulphur-Resisting Cement.
Sulphur-Resisting Cement is used for cement resistant to sulphates, particularly in sewage works and septic tanks.
7. Blast Furnace Cement
Blast furnace cement is a type of cement that is used in construction projects that require high levels of heat resistance.
This type of cement is made by combining limestone and clay, and then heating them in a blast furnace at high temperatures.
The resulting product is a strong and durable material that is resistant to both high temperatures and extreme weather conditions.
When used in construction, blast furnace cement is typically used in the foundations of buildings and in fireproofing.
8. High Alumina Cement
High alumina cement is a type of cement that contains a high percentage of alumina. It is typically used in situations where a high degree of heat resistance is required, such as in the production of refractory bricks.
High alumina cement consists of lime, sand and crushed stone, or slag and a high percentage of alumina. It is manufactured in two stages.
The first step is the production of slag cement followed by reaction with lime in a kiln (at temperatures exceeding 1000 °C) to increase the amount of alumina present in the resulting mixture.
Slag cement is particularly effective at retaining water which provides it with strength.
High alumina cement has also been investigated as an additive to Portland cement that can reduce emissions of carbon dioxide produced by manufacturing Portland cement while maintaining its properties.
Since slag cement can contain residues of heavy metals and other contaminants, it is considered less environmentally friendly than other cements.
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9. Low Alumina Portland Cement
There are many different types of cement, and each type has its own unique uses. One type of cement is low alumina Portland cement. This type of cement is often used in the construction of bridges and other structures that need to withstand high levels of stress.
Low alumina Portland cement is also a good choice for use in areas where there is a risk of sulfate attack.
The Difference Between Low Alumina Cement and Conventional Portland Cement.
Traditional Portland cement contains a lot of alumina, making it less prone to corrosion from salt water than low-alumina cement.
However, high-alumina Portland cement is weaker than low-alumina, so it is normally only used for concrete that will be exposed to occasional small amounts of water, such as concrete edging or foundations for industrial buildings.
Uses of Low Alumina Cement.
The main use of low alumina Portland cement is in the production of precast products (which are cast in molds) that will be placed underwater or in very humid areas.
It can also be used for bridge decks and other structures that will be exposed to large amounts of salt water and must withstand freezing and thawing.
Low alumina cement has a maximum of 0.60% (by weight) of aluminum oxide and a minimum of 0.55% (by weight) of calcium oxide.
Most cements have some carbonate content, but low-alumina Portland cement has more than 0.4% by weight. The higher the amount, the stronger the concrete will be.
10. Ultra-low alumina cement
Ultra-low alumina cement has a maximum of 0.1% (by weight) of aluminum oxide, and a minimum amount of 0.05% (by weight) of calcium oxide.
It is used for applications where it is important to minimize expansion due to the large amounts of water that can be absorbed by the cement, such as in dam construction or when doing underwater concrete work.
It can also be used for concrete structures exposed to large amounts of salt water. Ultra-low alumina cement has a maximum allowable carbonate content of 2%.
11. White Cement
White cement is one of the most versatile types of cement. It can be used for a wide range of applications, including concrete, mortar, stucco, and grout.
White cement is also available in a variety of formulations, including Portland cement, masonry cement, and tile grout.
White cement is made by heating limestone, clay, and chalk over high heat in a kiln.
This process creates two substances that are used to create the concrete: lime and silica. Lime is added to concrete for its ability to bond with water.
Silica is added because it adds strength to the final product. Additional ingredients are then added once the lime and silica have cooled down in order to add additional characteristics such as binding and color.
These additional ingredients include water, sand, gravel, fly ash (a byproduct of coal combustion), or other materials that can be incorporated into the mix depending on what application it will be used in.
White cement is also very important in creating mortars and grouts, key ingredients in masonry work.
12. Colored Cement
Did you know that cement can be colored?
That’s right, cement can be made in a variety of colors, which can be used to create unique looks for your home or business.
Colored cement is made by adding pigments to the cement mix. The amount of pigment added will determine the final color of the cement.
There are a few things to keep in mind when using colored cement.
First, because it is a pigment, it will fade over time when exposed to sunlight. This means that you may need to touch up the color every few years.
Second, because it is a pigment, it can be difficult to achieve an even color. This means that you may need to experiment a bit to get the look you want.
Overall, colored cement is a great way to add a unique touch to your home or business.
If you’re looking for something different than the traditional gray cement, then consider using colored cement for your next project!
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13. Air Entraining Cement
Air entrained cement is a type of cement that contains small bubbles of air.
These bubbles help to increase the workability of the concrete, making it easier to mix and pour.
This type of cement is often used in cold weather, as the air bubbles help to prevent freezing.
The types of air entrained cement include:
1. Ordinary Portland cement is added to water, producing a slurry that is then mixed with aggregates.
2. Rapid-hardening Portland cement is a cold weather type of cement. The air bubbles produced in the slurry help to prevent freezing and increase the workability of the concrete so it can be poured more quickly into forms.
3. Retarder is a chemical additive that causes the set time of the cement to be lengthened.
4. Accelerator is a chemical additive that causes the set time of the cement to be shortened.
5. Superplasticizer is a chemical additive that makes the concrete more workable, allowing it to flow better in cold weather or other difficult conditions.
6. Water-reducing is a powder containing gypsum and calcium sulfate dihydrate (or CaSO) that prevents excess water from entering into concrete when it’s mixed with aggregates.
Air entrained cement is available as pre-mixed bags or as raw materials for making your own mix.
The quick-setting variety of air entrained cement is used in a sandwich or a separately formed layer of the concrete pavement (called the wearing surface) that is made to be a little thicker than other layers.
The remaining cement layers are typically poured over the wearing surface, and once they’re hard, traffic can begin.
Air entrainment affects the compressive strength of concrete more than any other property. In fact, research has shown that it can raise the compressive strength by as much as 25 percent.
Air entrained cement is also often used in cold weather construction because they help create stronger structural supports when fewer materials are available to work with.
The most common type of air entrained cement is Portland Type II cement that contains a special air-entraining agent called sodium silico aluminate (also known as air-entrained silica).
This additive helps create tiny pores that are invisible to the human eye at first.
These micro-pores can be up to 20 times smaller than free-flowing, unfilled Portland cement particles. They show up only under a microscope, but they’re there.
This is also what makes them so important in concrete mixes because they improve the strength of the concrete and allow more water to pass through.
In this case, if you add too much air into the mixture, it can reduce the compressive strength of your concrete by as much as 10 percent.
And yes, this means mixing air with cement or sand would have a similar effect on your workable concrete as adding tap water. As a result, it’s imperative that you mix your concrete properly. It’s also important to keep in mind that air entrainment is a property of a concrete mixture as long as it meets the minimum requirements for compressive strength specified by a specific local or national building code.
An excess of air introduced into the mixture will increase its volume but not its strength.
All in all, if you want to make sure your workable concrete won’t crack even before it hardens, make sure you remove any air pockets and then let your concrete cure properly after mixing.
This way, you can be sure your concrete will turn out just as strong as the day it was poured.
14. Expansive Cement
Expansive cement is a type of cement that contains a small amount of a highly expansive agent. When this agent comes into contact with water, it causes the cement to expand.
This can be useful in construction as it can help to fill in cracks and voids in concrete. It can also be used to give a smooth finish to uneven surfaces.
While expansive cement has its benefits, it also has some drawbacks. The most notable drawback is that if the cement is not used correctly, it can cause serious damage to a structure.
This is because the expansion of the cement can put stress on the surrounding materials, which can cause them to crack or break.
If you’re planning on using expansive cement in your next construction project, be sure to consult with an experienced professional to ensure that it will be used correctly and safely.
15. Hydrophobic Cement
Hydrophobic cement is a type of cement that is water repellent. It is often used in areas where there is a high-water table or where the ground is subject to flooding.
Hydrophobic cement can also be used to waterproof concrete structures.
It is a relatively new type of cement and is still under investigation.
The Difference Between Portland and Concrete Cement
Most people think that concrete cement and Portland cement are the same thing. They couldn’t be more wrong!
Now we’ll explore the origins of these two materials and how they differ in terms of composition and uses.
Portland cement is the most common type of cement in the world. It is used in concrete, mortar, stucco, and grout.
Portland cement is made by heating limestone, clay, or shale in a kiln to a high temperature and then grinding the resulting material to a fine powder.
Concrete is made by mixing Portland cement with water, sand, and gravel. The mixture is then allowed to harden and cure.
Concrete cement is made from a mixture of Portland cement, water, sand, and gravel. It is different from Portland cement in that it contains no limestone.
Concrete cement is also much coarser than Portland cement. As a result, it is not as strong as Portland cement and is not typically used in construction applications.
How is Fly Ash Used in Cement?
Fly ash, a product of coal combustion, is being used in all-natural cement.
Fly ash is used in the manufacture of cement, if there are more than 8% by weight of fly ash in cement, then it would be considered to be a Portland Cement.
It is mainly composed of silica and alumina, with smaller amounts of iron oxide, magnesium oxide, calcium oxide etc.
It helps to provide strength and reduces problems associated with high heat production.
It also reduces the amount of Portland cement because fly ash combines with water to produce an excellent concrete mixture that contains little or no air pockets.
Considerations for Using Calcium Chloride in Cement
Calcium chloride is an inorganic compound, a salt with the chemical formula CaCl2. It is a white colored crystalline solid at room temperature, and it is highly soluble in water.
It is commonly used as an admixture in concrete, where it acts as a set accelerator.
When used in concrete, calcium chloride can cause the concrete to set more quickly than normal.
It can speed up the hydration process, resulting in a faster set time and increased strength. This can be beneficial if you need the concrete to set quickly, but it can also lead to problems if the concrete sets too quickly.
To avoid problems, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for how much calcium chloride to use in cement.
There are some things to consider when using calcium chloride in cement.
Excessive amounts of calcium chloride can cause the concrete to set too quickly, which can lead to cracking and other problems. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for how much calcium chloride to use.
Calcium chloride can also make the concrete more porous, which can lead to water seepage and staining. To avoid this, it’s important to seal the concrete properly after it has been cured.
Overall, calcium chloride can be a great way to speed up the curing process and increase the strength of concrete. Just be sure to use it according to the manufacturer’s directions and seal the concrete afterwards to avoid any issues.
Calcium chloride is also used as a de-icing or anti-icing agent for roads and sidewalks.
Conclusion
These are some types of cement used for construction, Depending on construction requirements. If you have any more points to share about any of these cements, do let us know!
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