Sr. No. | Types of Cement | Properties | Uses |
1 | Low Heat Cement | - Low heat cement is specifically designed to produce a minimal amount of heat during the hydration process.
- It contains a reduced percentage of tricalcium aluminate (C3A) and an increased proportion of dicalcium silicate (C2S).
- This composition helps in reducing the heat of hydration.
| - Low heat cement is suitable for large-scale concrete structures that are prone to overheating or cracking easily.
- It is prominently used in the construction of gravity dams, bridge abutments, retaining walls, slabs, and piers.
- Its slower setting time allows for better workability and reduces the risk of thermal cracking.
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2 | Air Entraining Cement | - Air entraining cement is formulated by incorporating air-entraining agents during the grinding of clinker.
- These agents, such as resins, glues, or sodium salts of sulfates, create tiny air bubbles in the concrete mix.
- Their presence improves the workability of concrete, enhances its resistance to freeze-thaw cycles, and increases its durability.
| - Air entraining cement is particularly beneficial in regions with cold climates where freeze-thaw cycles are common.
- It is widely used for building highways, bridges, and other structures exposed to harsh weather conditions.
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3 | Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) | - Ordinary Portland Cement, commonly referred to as OPC, is the most widely used type of cement in construction.
- It is suitable for general concrete construction and offers excellent strength and durability.
- These types of cement are available in different grades, including grade 33, grade 43, and grade 53.
| - Grade 33 is ideal for plastering.
- Grade 43 is used for precast and flooring applications
- Grade 53 is suitable for high-strength applications such as building roads, bridges, and multi-storey buildings.
- OPC is versatile and can be used for various construction purposes, including concrete, mortar, and plaster.
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4 | Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC) | - Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC) is made by grinding pozzolanic clinker with Portland cement.
- It is highly resistant to chemical stimulants on concrete and provides enhanced durability.
- Adding pozzolana, such as fly ash or calcined clay, improves the strength and impermeability of these types of cement.
| - PPC is widely used to construct marine structures, sewage works, retaining walls, bridge footings, and masonry mortar production.
- Its denser composition makes it an excellent choice for structures that require high strength and resistance to harsh environments.
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5 | Hydrographic Cement | - Hydrographic cement, also known as water-repellent cement, possesses high workability and strength.
- It is formulated by incorporating water-repelling chemicals during the manufacturing process.
- This unique property allows hydrographic cement to repel water, making it unaffected by monsoons or heavy rainfall.
| - Hydrographic cement is used to form water-related structures such as dams, spillways, water tanks, and water retaining structures.
- Its ability to resist water penetration ensures the long-term durability of such structures.
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6 | Colored Cement | - Colored cement is produced by adding mineral pigments to ordinary cement.
- These pigments, usually comprising 5-10% of the mixture, impart vibrant colors to the concrete.
- These types of cement offer a wide range of design possibilities for decorative flooring, pathways, and other architectural elements.
| - Colored cement is frequently used in landscaping projects, where aesthetic appeal is a priority.
- The color options available with colored cement allow for creative and customized designs, enhancing the visual appeal of any construction project.
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7 | Quick Setting Cement | - As the name suggests, quick setting cement sets rapidly and achieves early strength.
- It is similar to ordinary Portland cement in terms of strength development but sets at a faster rate.
- It is particularly useful in situations where the construction timeline is limited and quick completion is desired.
| - These types of cement find their applications in projects that require fast-setting concrete, such as underwater structures or in cold and rainy weather conditions.
- It allows for faster formwork removal, accelerating the construction process and reducing associated costs.
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8 | Blast Furnace Slag Cement | - Blast furnace slag cement is produced by grinding clinker with about 60% slag, a byproduct obtained during steel production.
- These types of cement exhibit properties similar to Portland cement and are often used in construction projects where economic considerations are crucial.
- It offers good resistance to chemical attacks.
- Moreover, it is an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional cement, as it utilizes a byproduct that would otherwise go to waste.
| - Blast furnace slag cement improves impermeability and durability against chloride and sulfate attacks.
- It is primarily used in water-retaining structures such as retaining walls, rivers, ports, and tunnels.
- It minimizes the heat of hydration for mass concreting projects, preventing thermal cracking and shrinkage.
- Additionally, it combats alkali-silica reactions in substructure and piling foundation structure.
- It offers excellent resistance to seawater corrosion and abrasion for marine systems, making it a reliable choice for construction.
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9 | Rapid Hardening Cement | - Rapid hardening is a type of cement that achieves high strength at an early stage.
- It is produced by finely grinding clinker with a higher content of tricalcium silicate (C3S) than ordinary Portland cement.
| - Rapid hardening cement is often used when quick strength development is required, such as in the construction of pavements.
- It allows for faster project completion and provides high early strength, ensuring the durability and stability of the structures.
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10 | White Cement | - White cement is similar to the Portland type but has a white color.
- It is produced using raw materials that are free from iron oxide (Fe2O3) and manganese oxide (MnO2).
- White cement is primarily used for decorative purposes.
| - White cement is used in the fabrication of precast curtain walls, facing panels, terrazzo surfaces, and other architectural applications.
- The white color of the cement allows for a clean and elegant finish in various construction projects.
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