Types of Cement

Dear Readers,

As you are well aware that without Cement modern infrastructure is not possible or even unimaginable now. Cement is a critical component in the construction of buildings, roads and other brick-and-motor creations and it plays vital role in construction Industry. Cement is a grey colored powder that resembles ash in texture. It is a binding substance that is used to harden and set two materials, typical bricks or rocks together. Before using it, cement is mixed with water and other materials in varying ratios and placed between two substances as “glue”. 

It’s time to learn about the many types of cement available in the market to cater to different construction purposes. Cements are broadly classified into two categories – Hydraulic and Non-Hydraulic, depending on how they react to the presence of water.

Hydraulic Cement: This cement gets hardened in a very short span and are widely used in construction industry for saving time and effort.

Non-Hydraulic Cement: They have a very long setting period and can only work in dry conditions. Non-hydraulic is not practical for commercial constructions, as they cannot be used in sites that are open to weather challenges.

Selection of cement based on suitability for different concrete construction is important for durability considerations of structures. Thus, making wise choice of cement type for specific construction site that prevents structure from deteriorating and saves much repair and rehabilitation cost later. 

A wide variety of cement types are available in market, which are suitable for use under certain conditions due to its unique properties. They are as follows.

    1. Ordinary Portland cement (OPC)

    2. Portland pozzolana cement (PPC)

    3. Rapid hardening Portland cement (RHPC)

    4. Low Heat Portland Cement (LHPC)

    5. Portland Slag Cement (PSC)

    6. Sulphate-resisting Portland Cement (SRPC)

    7. Hydrophobic Portland Cement (HPC)

Other Types of cements are based on its either unique property or its application.

    1. High Alumina Cement

    2. Quick-setting Cement

    3. White Cement

    4. Coloured Cement

    5. Air Entraining Cement

    6. Expansive Cement

    7. Extra rapid hardening cement

    8. Super sulphated cement

    9. Oil-well Cement

    10. Ultra-high strength concrete (UHSC)

Ultra-high strength concrete (UHSC) is the latest spectacular development in the domain of Portland cement-based materials.

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