TYPES OF CEMENTS The various types of cement available in the market are as follows:
Types of Cement Information
1) Ordinary Portland cement-this is the common type of cement in use. It should not be used for construction work exposed to sulfates in the soil.
2) Rapid hardening Portland cement- it is also known as high early strength cement. It is lighter than ordinary Portland cement. Since the curing period for the cement is short therefore it is economical. It is used where high early strength is desired, for constructing road payments, for cold weather concreting and where form work is to be removed as early as possible. It should not be used for massive concrete structures.
3) low heat Portland cement- it contains a low percentage of tricalcium silicate which hydrates quickly and higher percentage of dicalcium silicate which hydrate slowly. It possesses less compressive strength. This cement is widely used in retaining walls. It should not be used for thin concrete structures.
4) sulfate resisting Portland cement:-in this cement the percentage of tricalcium aluminate is kept below 5% and It results in the increase in resisting power against sulphates. It is used for structures which are likely to be damaged by severe alkaline conditions such as canal linings,culverts etc.
5) high alumina cement:-it contains about 35% of alumina. It is used for a structure subjected to the action of seawater, chemical plants and furnaces.
6) blast furnace slag cement:-it is made by intergrinding of ordinary Portland cement clinker and granulated blast furnace slag. It is cheaper than ordinary Portland cement. This cement is frequently used in dam, bridge abutments and retaining walls.
7) coloured cement:-it is prepared by adding 5 to 15% of a suitable colouring pigment before the cement is finally ground. The commercial term used for a coloured cement is ‘colocrete’. It is widely used for finishing of floors, external surface etc.
8) pozzolana cement:-it is made by intergrinding of ordinary Portland cement clinker and pozzolana. It is widely used for hydraulic structures such as the dams, weirs etc.
