Properties of Cement and Cementing Materials
Use this handbook as a ready reference to the various types of cementing materials along with their chemical compositions and applications.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Properties of Cement and Cementing Materials
Cement
Cement is a dirty greenish heavy powder, which is used as a building material. Cement possesses good adhesive and cohesive properties to bind rigid masses, such as stones and bricks. Cements are hydraulic in nature and set and harden in water. The essential constituents of cement used for constructional purposes are compounds of calcium and compounds of aluminum and silicon. Compounds of calcium are called calcareous while compounds of aluminum and silicon are called argillaceous.
Classification of Cement
Based on the chemical composition, cement may be classified as natural cement, Puzzolana cement, slag cement, and Portland cement.
Natural Cement
Natural cement contains 30-40% clay, which has naturally occurring argillaceous limestone. Natural cement is obtained by the calcination process at high temperatures of 1000 C to 1100 C followed by pulverization. This process of calcination produces calcium silicate and aluminates while the pulverization of calcium silicate and aluminates produces natural cement. Natural cement is hydraulic in nature with relatively low strength. Its setting time is very less. The strength of natural cement can be increased by mixing it with the right proportion of sand or silica. Natural cement is used in the construction of coherent big structures.
Puzzolana Cement
Puzzolana cement contains a mixture of aluminum silicate and calcium silicate with small amounts silicates of iron. It is obtained by mixing these components with lime, without the use of heat. Puzzolana cement is hydraulic in nature.
Slag Cement
Slag cement is obtained by mixing furnace slag with hydrated lime. The furnace slag...
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