Posted by Cement is the only artificial material used in making concrete. In this age of advanced construction technology cement is available in the market in many different types. Each one has its own application and properties. Here types of cement and their properties and applications are explained.
Different types of cement are briefly explained below.
Table of Contents
Ordinary Portland Cement
This type of cement comes in three different grades.
- 33 grade OPC (it should be confirming with IS 269-2013)
- 43 grade OPC (it should be confirming with IS 8112-2013)
- 53 grade OPC (it should be confirming with IS 12269-2013)
It should be noted that 33 grade and 43 grade cement has become obsolete for many decades and almost all the companies manufacture 53 grade OPC.
Portland Pozzolana Cement
This type of cement contains pozzolanic material mostly as fly ash. It doesn’t impart directly in strength but highly improves durability. Pozzolana material makes concrete impermeable and resistant to chemical action.
PPC should be confirming to IS 1489 (Part I) 1991 (fly ash based)
And it should be as per IS 1489 (Part II) 1991 (calcined clay based)
Rapid Hardening Cement
This type of cement gains strength more rapidly than OPC and PPC. This allows us to remove formwork early. The property of Rapid Hardening is due to the finer grain size of cement particles.
IS 8041-1990 is the code, which details the technology of rapid hardening cement.
This type of cement finds its application in road repair work or restoration work.
Low Heat Cement
As the name implies, this type of cement produces very little heat of hydration. This type of cement is used in mass concreting. Retaining walls, Dam construction are some examples where this cement could be used.
Low Heat Cement should have initial setting time not less than 60 minutes and final setting time should not be more than 12 hours.
This type of cement has lower content of C2A (around 5%), and higher content of C2A (around 46%)
Quick Setting Cement
Many times it gets confused with rapid hardening cement. Quick Setting Cement sets rapidly but doesn’t get strength comparing with rapid hardening concrete.
Read Also- ASTM Cement Classification
Sulfate Resisting Cement
This type of cement withstands sulfate attack very effectively, so used in building foundations where soil contains sulfur as a constituent.
This type of cement contains lesser amount of C3A and C4AF which makes it less prone to sulfate attack. IS 12330-1988 gives the specifications of sulfate resisting cement.
Super Sulfated Cement
This type of cement is used in marine structures. Also, it should be worth noting that super sulfated cement is more prone to deterioration during storage.
Colored Cement
Whenever there are requirements of decorative purpose or aesthetic purposes, color cement is used.
Colored cement can be manufactured by adding different elements to cement.
To make green colored concrete we add chromium to the cement.
We can make blue concrete by adding cobalt to the cement.
The manganese oxide is used to produce black brown colored cement.
High Alumina Cement
It gives very high early strength and gives a dark grey color while been hardened. Although this type of cement has advantages over other, due to its high cost its use is limited.
Read Also- Grades of Concrete And Concrete Mix Ratio
White Cement
This type of cement is used for aesthetic purposes. White cement is white in color as it doesn’t contain any ferrous compounds.
Some of the famous manufacturers of white cement are Birla White, JK Cement, and Emirates Cement
How to Test Cement on the Field?
- A good quality cement should be greenish-grey in color.
- It should feel smooth and cool when you take the cement in your hand. Grains must not be present in the cement as it indicates the starting of hydration.
- When you throw cement in the water it should float on the water and must not directly sink in the water.
- The cement should give a smooth effect when you rub it in the hand.
Conclusion
Cement should be selected based on requirements and also it should be ensured that the company, from which we are buying cement gives continuous supply and able to do so during whole construction.
Read Also-
Types of Admixtures Used in Concrete to Alter its Properties
Concrete Mix Design Code IS 10262 2019 PDF Download here
Advantages and Disadvantages of Ready Mix Concrete
Lightweight Concrete – Making and Applications
Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS) Applications in Concrete
FAQs
Low Heat Cement is particularly used for mass concreting where the heat of hydration is a major concern.
In white cement, there are no ferrous compounds present. Hence it’s color is white.