Varieties / Types of Cement

1.1 Cement is primarily characterized into two types

1. Hydraulic Cement
 This cement that sets very quickly and hardens in the presence of water because of
hydration (the chemical reaction between cement and water). This type of cement can
also harden in underwater.
 This cement produced by pulverizing clinkers which consist essentially of hydraulic
calcium silicates, generally containing calcium sulfate as an inter ground addition.
 It is suitable to work with in any climatic conditions and preferred for minor repair work
such as plugging holes and leaks in basements.
 Raw Materials: limestone, clay, and gypsum
 Examples: hydraulic lime, pozzolan cement, and Portland cement.

2. Non-Hydraulic Cement
 This type of cement needs dry conditions to harden. This cement doesn't require water to
get harden. It hardens when it reacts with the carbon dioxide in the air.
 This cement is resistant to attack by chemicals after setting.
 It should be kept dry to attain strength.
 Raw Materials: lime, gypsum plasters, and oxychloride
 Example: slaked lime
1.2 Types of Cement

1. Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC)

 The most common and most widely used type of cement. It has good resistance to
cracking and dry shrinkage but less resistance to chemical attack. It is suitable for all
general concrete construction. However, it is not suitable for the construction work which
is exposed to sulphates in the soil.

 Cement companies in Malaysia offer OPC in three different grades, namely grades 33,
43, and 53.

 Uses:
a. general construction purposes such as reinforced concrete buildings, bridges,
pavements, railway structures, tanks and where soil conditions are normal
b. masonry works
c. plaster - to give a perfect finish to the walls

 Raw Materials：
a. Argillaceous or silicates of alumina (clay and shale)
b. Calcareous or calcium carbonate (limestone, chalk, and marl)

 Chemical constituents of OPC are follow:

Raw Materials %
Lime (CaO) 60 to 67%
Silica (SiO2) 17 to 25%
Alumina (Al2O3) 3 to 8%
Iron oxide (Fe2O3) 0.5 to 6%
Magnesia (MgO) 0.1 to 4%
Sulphur trioxide (SO3) 1 to 3%
Soda and/or Potash (Na2O+K2O) 1.5 to 1.3%

2. Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC)

  This cement is integrated cement which clinker and pozzolanic material such as volcanic
ash and fly ash are mixed in a definite proportion with Ordinary Portland cement.

 It reacts with calcium hydroxide generated by hydrating cement to form additional

cementations materials when it is finely divided.

 This cement has very good resistance againts chemical attacks on concrete compared
with ordinary portland cement. The pozzolanas can reduce the content of calcium
aluminates in cementations material, leading to increase of sulphate resistance of
concrete.

 It reduces the carbon monoxide emission from the concrete making it environmental
friendly.

 Uses:
a. hydraulic structures e. sewage works
b. marine structures f. used in decorative and art structures
c. construction near the seashore g. Mass concrete works
d. sewage works

 Raw Materials :
a. limestone (CaCO2)
b. clay (SiO2,AI2,O3,Fe2O3)

3. Rapid Hardening Cement

 This cement is very similar to Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) but it gains strength more
quickly than OPC.