Types of cements

Cements are classified based on:

Chemical Composition

Physical properties

Additives to the cement powder

Special purpose or use

The general classification is similar for standards around the world. Two primary classification
schemes are presented here ASTM and BIS.
ASTM Classification
ASTM C150 classifies cement into 5 primary types:

Type I: General purpose (Type IA for air entrained cement)

Type II: Moderately sulphate resistant, and moderate heat of hydration (Type IIA for air
entrained cement)

Type III: High early strength

Type IV: Low heat of hydration

Type V: Sulphate resistant

The typical compound composition for these cements is given in Table 1.

Table 1. Compound composition (%) for ASTM cements
ASTM Type

C3S

C2S

C3A

C4AF

45-55

20-30

8-12

6-10

II

40-50

25-35

5-7

10-15

III

50-65

15-25

8-14

6-10

IV

25-35

40-50

5-7

10-15

40-50

25-35

0-4

10-20

In general, in relation to Type I cement,

Type II has marginally lower C3S and C3A

Type III has marginally higher C3S, and a higher fineness

Type IV has lower C3S (lower than Type II) and C3A

Type V has lower C3A (lower than Type IV)

ASTM C595 also classifies two blended cements Portland Slag Cement (Type IS) and Portland
Pozzolana Cement (Type IP). While Type IS consists of 25 70% slag by mass, Type IP consists of
15 40% of a normally pozzolanic material by mass (fly ash, volcanic ash etc.)