Kinds of Cement

Cement is a primary ingredient in concrete and mortar.

Cement can be traced back to the Romans, who laid down the foundations of modern cement creation. In its most basic form, cement is mixed with natural materials such as sand, shale, limestone and clay to bind them and make them rigid. Cement is a critical component of concrete. Without it modern architecture would grind to a halt. There are several varieties.

Portland Cement

Portland cement is used in many types of buildings all over the world.

Portland cement is used almost everywhere in building construction due to its basic ingredients. It is used in concrete, stucco, mortar and grout. It is made by burning limestone and clay in a hot kiln until a "clinker" is formed, which is then crushed into a powder. It is then mixed with water, gypsum, and aggregates such as sand and gravel, and will usually set within 24 hours.

Anti-sulphate Cement

Anti-sulphate cement is used to build many industrial facilities.

Anti-sulphate cement is less alkaline than Portland cement and has a low hydration heat. That makes it particularly suited for construction of coastal buildings, factories that produce chemicals, nuclear power plants and dams. That is because there is a lesser chance of infringement reaction, which occurs when it comes into contact with acidic solutions such as chemicals, sea water or waste water. The strength of anti-sulphate cement is lower than common cement, but it hardens after 90 days.

Slag Cement

Many roads are constructed using slag cement.

Slag is a readily available byproduct of the steel industry, and slag cement has a better workability than Portland cement with good resistance to corrosive chemicals. It takes longer to dry than other cements, meaning it can be better shaped over large areas without worrying about it drying too quickly for it to be properly placed. It is often used for roadways.

Masonry Cement

Masonry cement is most commonly used to bind bricks together.

Masonry cement is used when laying blocks, bricks and stones. It dries with a smooth finish with very little shrinkage, making it especially useful for the surfaces of buildings. Masonry cement can be mixed with sand and water to create a strong mortar. However, it is not strong enough to be used in place of concrete.

References

• HD Cement: Characteristics and Usage of Cement