Cement, cement mixers, concrete, and other building materials are very crucial components used in residential, commercial, and public construction jobs. Since there are numerous types of concrete, professionals in the construction world usually have good knowledge about their various uses and properties.

 

Understanding and knowing the different types of cement and their properties could help you make better-informed decisions about what materials you would like to use for your projects.  Follow this article to learn about 15 different types of cement as well as their compounds, uses, and specifications to help you expand your knowledge in the world of construction.

 

What Is Cement?

 

Cement looks like a fine grey powder made from chemical compounds and raw materials that professionals utilise in many different types of construction jobs. Cement is also a manufactured component used in concrete. It is created by mixing minerals and raw materials with metals like iron, aluminium, silicon, and calcium, before heating it to high temperatures to form a clinker; which is a solid material.ce

 

Once the clinker is ready, it is ground into a powder form which is then sold as cement to ready-mix concrete companies where it can be used in cement mixers. Raw materials found in cement can include the following:

 

• Clay
• Chalk
• Limestone
• Shells
• Iron ore
• Slag
• Silica sand

 

Every step in the process of manufacturing cement requires monitoring and regular physical and chemical tests to make sure that the cement meets industry specifications. Even though testing processes can be similar all over the world, the standards of cement may differ depending on location. Oxide analysis can be used by scientists to verify the composition and content of cement samples.

 

The following is a list of physical features they observe:

 

• Compressive strength
• Particle size
• Air content
• Lower heat of hydration
• Setting time
• Increased heat of hydration
• Early age development

 

 

Different Types Of Cement

 

There are numerous types of cement which you can utilise depending on what your project’s conditions and purpose are, all of which are safe to use in cement mixers. Continue reading to learn about 15 different types of cement:

 

1 – Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC)

 

Ordinary Portland Cement is a type of cement manufactured globally and used the most, also suitable to use in cement mixers. The name “Portland” is a generic name used, derived from a specific building stone which was quarried on the Isle of Portland in Dorset, England. Ordinary Portland cement can be used in most general concrete jobs and stucco or mortar construction projects.

 

2 – Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC)

 

Portland Pozzolana Cement is created by manufacturers grinding pozzolanic clinker, and sometimes with calcium sulphate or gypsum, with ordinary Portland cement. Unlike OPC, its resistance to various chemical reactions that occur in concrete is higher. Often PPC is utilised for projects such as building piers, dams, sewage works, underwater concrete projects, bridges or marine structures.

 

 3 – Quick-Setting Cement

 

Quick-Setting Cement has been known to be similar to extra-rapid-hardening cement. Quick-Setting Cement has a strong rate and grain similar to OPC, however, it tends to harden much faster. Quick-Setting Cement can be favourable for projects that are time sensitive or near running or stagnant water. Luckily, this type of cement can last some time spinning in cement mixers.

 

4 – Rapid-Hardening Cement

 

Both construction teams and contractors usually choose Rapid-Hardening Cement because of its high strength at the beginning of the hardening process. In only three days, its strength is comparable to the strength of OPC after seven days with the same water-to-cement ratio. This type of cement can have more lime content, mixed with a finer grinding process, or even better strength development. Often, Rapid-Hardening Cement is used for projects when there is a focus on increasing construction rates and lowering costs, or for projects with early-stage formwork removal.

 

 

5 – Low-Heat Cement

 

Low-Heat Cement is produced by manufacturers who monitor the percentage of tricalcium aluminate within the mixture to guarantee that the levels stay below 6%. This is done to ensure that the heat is maintained at a low temperature throughout the hydration process, making this type of cement less reactive and more resistant to sulphates compared to other forms of cement available. If you have a mass concrete or construction project and would like to prevent cracking as a result of the heat as much as possible, then this type of cement is a good option for you. Nevertheless, unlike other types of cement, low-heat cement can have a longer initial setting time.

 

6 – Extra-Rapid-Hardening Cement

 

Extra-Rapid-Hardening Cement can set and become much more durable even faster than Regular Rapid-Hardening Cement or OPC. This is achieved by construction professionals by mixing calcium chloride with rapid-hardening cement. Because of its fast setting rate, this type of cement can be very useful for cold-weather concrete projects. Cement mixers can be used as a way to keep the mixture from hardening too fast.

 

7 – Blast Furnace Slag Cement

 

This type of cement is made by manufacturers who grind clinker with nearly 60% of slag. Together this creates cement that has a lot of the same properties as OPC. Although, it is a good option if you want to be financially conscious as it is less expensive to produce compared to other forms of cement. This allows you to purchase other equipment you may need such as; cement mixers.

 

8 – Sulphate-Resisting Cement

 

Sulphate-Resisting Cement has proven to be very useful in reducing the risk of sulphate effects on concrete. Commonly, it is used to construct foundations in soil with a sulphate content. Additionally, this form of concrete is beneficial for projects such as culverts, retaining walls, and linings.

 

9 – White Cement

 

Interestingly, this form of cement is another type of OPC but instead of being grey, this cement is white. It is made from raw materials that do not include iron oxide and could be more expensive than other types of cement. White cement is very useful in not only architectural projects, but also interior and exterior decorative projects such as designing floors, swimming pools, ornamental concrete products, and garden paths.

 

10 – High-Alumina Cement

 

High-Alumina Cement is a form of rapid-hardening cement made from melting lime and bauxite together and finally grinding it with clinker. It can be more flexible and workable than OPC and it has high compressive strength. High-Alumina Cement is often used by construction teams when they have projects that subject the cement to extreme weather like frost or high temperatures.

 

11 – Expansive Cement

 

The wonderful thing about Expansive Cement is that it can grow slightly over time without the cement shrinking during the hardening process. Expansive Cement is the most beneficial for projects such as concrete ducts or grouting anchor bolts. Teams can also use it to reinforce other concrete structures or even structure joints.

 

12 – Coloured Cement

 

This form of cement has a mixture of properties from two other types of cement; white cement and OPC. Often manufacturers mix between 5% and 10% mineral pigments with OPC, so that the desired colour can be achieved. Similar to white cement, contractors who use this cement usually use it for decorative purposes and projects to emphasise their designs.

 

13 – Hydrographic Cement

 

Hydrographic Cement has been manufactured by professionals by combining water-repelling chemicals. This form of cement has high strength and workability and it also repels water so weather damage is minimised. Teams can utilise this type of cement for projects such as water retaining and spillways structures, water tanks, and dams.

 

14 – Air-Entraining Cement

 

Air-Entraining Cement is a form of cement that is workable with a smaller cement ratio compared to OPC, including other forms of cement. During the grinding process, manufacturers combine air-entraining agents such as sodium salts, resins, and glues to the clinker to create this type of cement, which can be mixed with other components in a cement mixer to make concrete.

 

15 – Portland-Limestone Cement (PLC)

 

The final form of cement on our list is Portland-Limestone Cement, a perfect blend of Portland Cement and up to 15% of limestone. The properties found within are comparable to Portland Cement for general use. Nevertheless, it does have close to 10% lower greenhouse gas emissions which, in the long run, helps to increase sustainability.

 

 

What Is The Relation Between Cement And Concrete?

 

Concrete is made from a paste that is mixed with water, cement mixtures, and aggregates such as rock or sand. This is a process that can be done using cement mixers as well. Eventually, the paste will harden and bind with the aggregates, completed by a process called hydration.

 

How To Make Cement

 

Cement can be created through two common processes; either the dry or wet method. Both of these methods are useful for different construction projects, the following is an explanation of the two:

 

Dry Method

 

This method can be seen as the most common to use when creating cement. The process entails crushing and drying raw materials, followed by grounding them into fine powder. Lastly, technicians mix the ground materials and place them into kilns so that they can heat them and later turn them into cement.

 

Wet Method

 

The wet method for cement creation utilises a process similar to the dry method, but in the wet method, the raw materials are ground with water before being fed into the cement kilns. A wet paste is produced called slurry which technicians then store in silos and is adjusted by adding ingredients and mixing it in cement mixers before it is used.

 

 

What Are Cement Compounds?

 

Four main components make up Portland Cement, also referred to as phases, which are formed at high temperatures in the cement kiln. These include:

 

C3S (Tricalcium Silicate)

 

This compound makes up 50% – 70% of an OPC clinker. C3S is important as it promotes rapid hardening and hydration. Increasing the ratio of C3S could increase its strength and hardening capabilities similar to rapid-hardening cement.

 

C2S (Dicalcium Silicate)

 

Between 10%-25% of OPC’s clinker is made up of dicalcium silicate. It hydrates and hardens at a slower rate than tricalcium silicate. This has the ability to add more strength to projects that utilise it.

 

C3A (Tricalcium Aluminate)

 

OPC clinker has up to 10% of tricalcium aluminate within its composition. This phase contributes a lot in the beginning stages of strength development and is far more reactive than the other four compounds. It can generate heat during the earlier days of the hydration process. If the cement has lower levels of tricalcium aluminate in it, it can be more resistant to soil and water sulphates.

 

About BS Power

 

Understanding what cement is, its compounds, and what is made of will help you in the future to decide on what good materials you should be using for your project. For the best tools, knowledge, cement, and cement mixers, contact BS Power. Make sure to visit BS Power for trustworthy mixers as well as a variety of tools and materials for your future projects.