8 Common Types of Cement and Their Uses

Cement, a primary constituent of mortar, concrete, plaster, etc., is a prominent construction material and is only behind water as the most-consumed resource of our planet. With the advancement in technology and requirements of construction, there exist various types of cement to meet every demand. Different types are achieved by minor adjustments in which the ingredients are used during the cement production process.
Primary Categorization:
· Hydraulic Cement – The dry ingredients in this type of cement react with water and become adhesive and hard. For eg. Portland cement.
· Non-Hydraulic Cement – This type of cement reacts with the atmospheric CO2 as it dries and is resistant to chemicals after setting.
1. Ordinary Portland Cement or OPC
· It is the most commonly used cement type and is suitable for general concrete construction.
· It has a global production of about 3.8 million cubic meters per annum.
· It has good resistance to cracks and dry shrinkage but is unsuitable for construction which is exposed to sulphates in the soil.
2. Rapid Hardening Cement
· Similar to OPC, the rapid hardening cement is made by lowering the C2S content and adding excessive C3S.
· It is ideal for use in prefabricated concrete construction.
3. Low Heat Cement
· Designed to release less heat while setting, this type of cement is obtained by reducing the content of C3A and increasing C2A in the mix.
· Ideal for making thick pavements, large raft slabs, gravity dams etc.
4. Quick Setting Cement
· Unlike the rapid hardening cement that gains strength quickly, the quick setting cement gains strength at the same rate as that of OPC but sets quickly.
· It is ideal for use in structural repairs, underwater construction or during rainy weather conditions.
5. Sulphates Resisting Cement
· With a reduced amount of C3A and C4AF, this type of cement has a reduced risk of sulphate attack and is ideal for use in the construction of foundations.
· It is ideal for construction exposed to severe sulphate action either by water or soil like in canal linings, siphons, etc.
6. White Cement
· A type of OPC, it is white in color, more expensive and is made from raw materials free from iron oxide.
· Ideal for use in architectural purposes like terrazzo surface, and for interior and exterior decorative work.
7. Portland Slag Cement
· It is made by grinding clinkers with about 60% slag, which is a by-product from a blast furnace, during the manufacturing of cement.
· It is ideal for use in marine structures like harbors, docks, etc.
8. High Alumina Cement
· Made by melting bauxite during the manufacturing of OPC, the high alumina cement has high compressive strength.
· The initial and final setting time of approximately 3.5 and 5 hours respectively makes it a rapid hardening cement.
· It is resistant to corrosion and is ideal for use in construction work near and along the sea-shore.
Some other types of cement that are manufactured for specific purposes are hydrographic cement, expansive cement, air entraining cement, colored cement, and masonry cement.
To know more about the cement industry, visit our website.

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