INTRODUCE ABOUT CEMENT

A cement is a binder, a substance used in construction that sets and hardens and can bind other
materials together. Cement used in construction can be classified as being either hydraulic or no
hydraulic, depending upon the Ability of the cement to set in the presence of the water. Non-hydraulic
cement will not set in wet conditions or Under water, rather it sets as it dries and reacts with carbon
dioxide in the air. It can be attacked by some aggressive Chemicals after setting.

Hydraulic cement (eg. Portland cement) set and become adhesive due to chemical reaction between the
dry Ingredients and water. Hydraulic cement hardens by hydration when water is added. Hydraulic
cement such as Portland cement are mixtures of silicates and oxides.

Four major components of cements are:

Belite (2CaO.SiO2)

Alite (3CaO.SiO2)

Tricalcium Aluminate (3CaO.Al2O3)

Brownmillerite (4CaO.Al2O3.Fe2O3)

The silicates are responsible for the mechanical properties of the cement. Tri-calcium aluminate and
Brownmillerite are essential to allow the formation of the liquid phase during Kiln Sintering (firing).

Portland cement:

Portland cement is the most common type of cement used around the world. This cement is formed by
heating Limestone (CaCo3) and other materials like Clay, Bauxite, Iron Ore etc. to a temperature of
about 1400oC in a Kiln, in a process is known as calcination, a molecule of carbon dioxide is liberated
from calcium carbonate to Form calcium oxide (CaO), which is then blended with other materials that
have been included in the mix to form Calcium silicates and other cementitious compounds.

Types of Cements:
i. OPC
OPC stands for ordinary Portland cement. To achieve the desired setting qualities in the finished
product, a quality (usually 5%) of gypsum is added to the clinker and the mixture is finally grinded to
form cement powder. The Finished product should be 15% by mass below 5 micrometer and 15% by
mass above 45 micrometers. OPC sets More quickly and achieves 85% of it compressive strength within
7 days Advantages of adding Gypsum (CaSO4.2H2O):

It prevents agglomerations

It prevents the flash setting of cement

It facilitates the grinding of the clinker

 ii. PPC

It stands for Pozzolana Portland cement. It is a variation of OPC and is formed by adding volcanic ash,
silica,

Fume or fly ash in OPC. PPC can greatly reduce the amount of cement (OPC) used in concrete. PPC is
costlier

Than OPC.

Advantages of PPC:

This cement gains compressive strength with the age.

It gives better workability during the preparation of concrete.

It is highly resistant to sulfates and chlorides.

It evolves low heat during setting

It is resistant to expansion

iii. PSC

PSC stands for Portland Slag cement. This cement is formed by grinding the mixture of clinker, gypsum
(5%),

slag (45% by mass). This cement reduces the amount of clinker used in production of cement and also
the power
consumption in producing this cement is less. This cement has very high sulfates and chlorides
resistance.

Applications:

Marine and offshore structures

Sewage disposal treatment plants

Water treatment Plant

Fig 1.2 Sarbottam Cemen