Types of cements

Different Types of Cements in India

The different types of cements available are

Ordinary Portland cement

These are available in many grades , namely 33 grade , 43 grade, 53 grade etc If 28 day strength is not less than 33N/mm² then it  is called 33 grade cement. If 28 day strength is not less than 43N/mm² then it is called 43 grade cement. Use of higher grade cement offers many advantageous for making stronger concrete. Although they are little costlier than the low grade cement, they offer 10 to 20% saving in the cement consumption and also they offer many other hidden benefits. One of the most important benefits is the faster rate of development of the strength. Used for the ordinary works.

Rapid hardening cement

As the name indicate it develops the strength rapidly. This cement develops at the age of three days , the same strength as that expected of  Ordinary Portland cement at seven days. The rapid rate of development of the strength is due to the higher finess  and higher C₃S and lower C₂S. Used for the Road repair work, Early removal of the formwork, Cold weather concrete.

Sulphate resisting cement

Ordinary Portland cement is sucessible to the sulphate attack. Sulphate react with the free calcium hydroxide to form calcium sulphate and the hydrate of calcium aluminate to form calciumsulphoaluminates., the volume of which is approximately 227% of the volume of the original aluminates. Their expansion results in cracks. To remedy this the use of the cement with the low C₃A is recommended. Such cement with the low C₃A and content is known as the Sulphate resisting cement. Used for Marine condition, Foundation in soil infested with sulphates, Concrete used for the fabrication of pipes etc

 Quick setting cement

As the name indicates this type cement set quickly. This property is brought out by reducing the gypsum content at the time of the clinker grinding. This cement is required to mix, place and compacted very easly. Used for the underwater construction.

Super sulphated cement

Super sulphated cement is manufactured by grinding together a mixture of 80 to 85 % of the granulated slag, 10 to 15 % of the hard burnt gypsum, and 5% Portland cement clinker. This cement is high sulphate resistant. Because of this property it is used for the Foundation where chemically aggressive condition exists.

Low heat cement

Hydration of the cement is exothermic process which liberates high quantity of the heat. This will cause the formation of the cracks. A low heat evolution is brought by Reducing the C₃A and C₃S which are the compounds evolving the greater heat of hydration and increasing C₂S. Rate of evolution of heat of hydration will therefore will be less and evolution of heat will extend over a large period. Therefore Low heat cement rate of the development of the strength is very low. Used for the mass construction works

 Portland Pozzolona cement

Portland Pozzolona cement is manufactured by intergrinding OPC clinker with 10 to 25% of the Pozzolona material. Portland Pozzolona cement produces low heat of hydration and offer greater resistance to the attack of the aggressive water than OPC. Used for the mass construction works, marine and hydraulic works.

 Air entraining cement

This cement is manufactured by mixing small amount of the air entraining agent with the OPC clinker at the time of grinding. At the time of mixing this cement will produce air bubbles in the body of the concrete which will modify the properties of the plastic concrete with respect to the workability, segregation and bleeding

Coloured cement

Coloured cement consists of the Portland cement with the 5 to 10 % of the pigment. The cement and the pigment is grinded together.

 Hydrophobic cement

This cement is manufactured by grinding the OPC clinker with the water repellent film forming substance. The water repellent film formed around each grain of the cement reduces the deterioration of the cement during the long storage, transportation and unfavorable conditions. Water repellent film formed will also improve the workability

 Expansive cement

Concrete formed using the OPC shrinks during the setting due to the loss of the water. In grouting works if concrete shrinks the purpose for which the grout is used will be to some extend defeated. A slight expansion with time is advantageous for the grouting works. This type of the cement which does not suffer an overall change in the volume on drying is known as the Expansive cement. This cement is manufactured by using an expansive agent and a stabilizer