The quality of cement used determines the durability and strength of the construction in the long run. Therefore, this cement type is widely regarded to be an outstanding material for architectural structures. The primary reason for this is its unique formulation, which is high in the oxides of manganese and iron. Also, lime is the major component of Portland cement, accounting for around 60 to 67 percent of the composition. Moreover, this cement is enriched with the goodness of silica, sulphur, iron, and magnesia. Find out more about Portland cement composition and its types:
What is Portland Cement used for?
Portland Cement is one of the most commonly used cement applied during construction. The primary reason for its popularity is its ability to gain hardness immediately. It is generally used in constructing structures where the hydration within the soil is normal. The common structure built with Portland Cement is pavements, bridges, dams, and buildings. Besides, this cement is also used to fill in the cracks within walls. Another major reason for using this cement is its low cost and low contribution to air pollution.
What is the difference between Portland Cement and regular cement?
Cement is an important part of the construction as it is the binding force that holds the structure together. There are two types of cement: Portland and regular, but there are major differences between them. Here is the table that distinguishes it:
| Portland Cement | White Cement |
|---|---|
| The formulation of Portland Cement has a high percentage of oxides of manganese and iron. | The formulation of White cement has less oxides compared to Portland Cement. |
| The Portland Cement is coarse. | This type of cement is finer in the formulation. |
| The energy consumption of this cement is low. | The energy consumption of this cement is comparatively high. |
| It is used to make plaster joints, precast pipes, watertight floors, and water tanks, among others. | White cement is used to develop aesthetics (decoration, beautification of house, flooring purposes) |
What is the composition/formula of Portland Cement
The composition of Portland Cement usually has four elements: tricalcium aluminate (3CaO · Al2O3), tricalcium silicate (3CaO · SiO2), tetra-calcium aluminoferrite (4CaO · Al2O3Fe2O3), and dicalcium silicate (2CaO · SiO2). This table consists of the percentage-wise availability of chemical compounds in Portland Cement:
| Chemical Compound | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Lime (CaO) | 60 to 67 percent |
| Sulphur trioxide (SO3) | 1 to 3 percent |
| Silica (SiO2) | 17 to 25 percent |
| Soda and/or Potash (Na2O+K2O) | 0.5 to 1.3 percent |
| Alumina (Al2O3) | 3 to 8 percent |
| Iron oxide (Fe2O3) | 0.5 to 6 percent |
| Magnesia (MgO) | 0.1 to 4 percent |
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Types of Portland Cement
At present, the construction industry uses five types of Portland Cement. Each of them has its properties and uses:
- Type 1: This cement is usually used for general purposes. The prominent use of type 1 Portland Cement is in the construction of bridges, reservoirs, culverts, sewers, railway structures, and tanks
- Type 2: It is used in places where the concrete is exposed to sulphate attack. The major reason for this is its low heat generation ability
- Type 3: This type of Portland Cement is used more in places, wherein the structure has to be strengthened during the early days
- Type 4: Type 4 is used at places where the amount of heat generated is minimum. This cement type is used in the making of concrete dams
- Type 5: It is the sulphate-resistant cement used in places that have high sulphate exposure
What are the advantages and disadvantages of portland cement?
Although preferred for its wide usage in the construction industry, portland cement comes with a few limitations. If you’re considering this cement type for your next construction project, the table below highlights the pros and cons.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Portland cements are known for their ability to support heavy loads easily. | Portland cement tends to be more expensive compared to regular or white cement. |
| Portland cement can withstand harsh weather conditions and is resistant to shrinkage. | Portland cement is not resistant to chemical treatments. |
| Portland cement is resistant to moisture and can be perfect for homes in high-humidity areas. | Portland cement can withstand moisture, but it is not completely water-resistant and cannot be used for underwater structures. |
| Portland cement is comparatively strong and durable compared to normal cement. | Production of Portland cement can emit huge amounts of carbon dioxide, which can harm the environment. |
Manufacturing process of portland cement
Preparing portland cement is a straightforward process. But before we give you a step-by-step guide on how Portland cement is prepared, here is a list of ingredients needed for the process.
Materials required for preparing portland cement
The first and foremost material needed for cement preparation is a kiln for baking and hardening the Portland cement admixture. The basic admixture mix comprises raw iron oxide, calcium carbonate, and silicon. Additionally, materials such as limestone, fly ash, or aluminium can be added to the cement mix to alter the properties of the cement as needed.
Portland cement preparation process
Here are the steps to preparing portland cement-
- Mix the raw materials in a rotating cement kiln.
- Once mixed, the kiln is fired up to reach a temperature of up to 1500 °C.
- The cement mixture is then placed on the other end of the kiln. As the kiln slowly heats up, the raw materials fall to the bottom and come in contact with fire.
- Exposure to fire changes the mixture’s properties and solidifies it.
- This solidified form, also known as clinker, is then ground to a fine cement-like consistency.
While the Portland cement preparation process is pretty standard, professional supervision during the processing and application phase of the cement is crucial for the best results. For more information, we recommend connecting with a local contracting professional.
