Types of Concrete

Concrete and cements consist of a mixture of a binder or clinker and a coarser aggregate. They are used to patch or line floors and walls, bond brick, and join components for use in high temperature applications. Clinker is a fused mineral or mineral mixture, such as alumina or bauxite and lime, which is crushed into a fine powder to manufacture cements. Aggregates are coarser, granular materials that are added to mortar, grout or cement at mixing time to impart special properties such as refractoriness, erosion resistance, and oxidation resistance. Synthetic aggregates are fused mineral or mineral mixtures crushed to a coarse, granular size range rather than a fine, powdered clinker. Portland cement is the most common bond used in structural concretes and mortars. Polymer cements have a resin bond and are used in corrosion protection, mortars for corrosion-resistant floor tiles, and other specialized industrial applications. Masonry consists of tile, bricks, stone or other ceramic components bonded together with mortar or adhesive.