30/06/2024
What is cement?
Cement is a fine gray powder created from raw materials and chemical compounds that professionals use in various types of construction jobs.
Professionals create cement by mixing raw materials with metals and minerals such as aluminum, iron, calcium and silicon before heating it to high temperatures to form a solid material called clinker.
Clinker is then ground into a powder sold as cement to ready-mix concrete companies. Raw materials in cement may include:
Chalk
Clay
Iron ore
Limestone
Shale
Shells
Silica sand
Slag
Some physical features Scientist may inspect may include:
Air content
Compressive strength
Early age strength development
Increased heat of hydration
Lower heat of hydration
Particle size
Setting time
15 types of cement
There are a variety of types of cement you can use depending on your project's purpose and conditions. Here are 15 types of cement:
1. Ordinary Portland cement (OPC)
Ordinary Portland cement is the most widely used type of cement manufactured and used worldwide.
2. Portland pozzolana cement (PPC) Compared to OPC, it has a higher resistance to various chemical reactions within concrete. PPC is often used for projects like bridges, piers, dams, marine structures, sewage works or underwater concrete projects.
3. Rapid-hardening cement
Contractors or construction teams may choose rapid-hardening cement for its high strength in the early stages of the hardening process. Its strength in three days is comparable to OPC strength at seven days with the same water-to-cement ratio.
4. Extra-rapid-hardening cement
Extra-rapid-hardening cement may set and become durable even faster than OPC and rapid-hardening cement. Construction professionals achieve this by adding calcium chloride to rapid-hardening cement. This cement type may be useful for cold-weather concrete projects due to its fast setting rate.
5. Quick-setting cement
Similar to extra-rapid-hardening cement, this concrete type may set and become stronger even quicker than OPC and rapid-hardening cement. Its grain and strength rate are similar to OPC, but it hardens faster. Quick-setting cement may be beneficial for time-sensitive projects or those located near stagnant or running water.
6. Low-heat cement:
This helps maintain low heat during the hydration process, making this cement type more resistant to sulfates and less reactive than other types of cement. It may be suitable for mass concrete construction or projects to help prevent cracking due to heat. However, low-heat cement may have a longer initial setting time than other types.
7. Sulfate-resisting cement
Sulfate-resisting cement helps reduce the risk of sulfate side effects on concrete. Its most common use is for constructing foundations in soil with high sulfate content. This concrete type can also be beneficial for projects like canal linings, culverts and retaining walls.
8. Blast furnace slag cement
Manufacturers make blast furnace slag cement by grinding clinker with up to 60% slag. This creates cement with many of the same properties as OPC. However, it may be less expensive to produce than other types, making it a good choice for financially conscious projects.
9. High-alumina cement
High-alumina cement is a type of rapid-hardening cement created by melting bauxite and lime together and grinding it with clinker. It has high compressive strength and may be more flexible and workable than OPC. Construction teams can use high-alumina cement for projects where cement is subject to extreme weather like high temperatures or frost.
10. White cement
White cement is a type of OPC that's white instead of gray. It's prepared from raw materials that don't include iron oxide and may be more expensive than other cement types. It's often useful in architectural projects and interior and exterior decorative projects like designing garden paths, floors, swimming pools and ornamental concrete products.
11. Colored cement
Colored cement has properties similar to OPC and white cement. Like white cement, contractors often use this type for decorative purposes and projects to enhance their designs.
12. Air-entraining cement
Air-entraining cement is more workable with a smaller water-cement ratio than OPC and other types of cement. A common use for this type of cement is for frost resistance in concrete.
13. Expansive cement
Expansive cement can grow slightly over time without shrinking during the hardening process. It may be beneficial for projects like grouting anchor bolts or concrete ducts. Teams can also use it in structure joints or to reinforce other concrete structures.
14. Hydrographic cement
This cement type has high workability and strength and also repels water to prevent weather damage. Teams can use hydrographic cement for projects such as dams, water tanks, spillways and water retaining structures.
15. Portland-limestone cement (PLC)
Portland-limestone cement is a blend of Portland cement and 5% to 15% fine limestone. Its properties are similar to Portland cement for general use. However, it also has about 10% lower greenhouse gas emissions, which can help increase sustainability.
