Cement is the binding particle used for construction that hardens and binds to other materials together. Cement cannot be used individually. It is mixed with water, sand, and stone gravel called concrete. Also when mixed with water and sand are called mortar. Cement is categorized under many types and grades. The three main grades are 33 Grade cement, 43 Grade Cement, and 53 Grade Cement. These are classified based on the compressive strength cement after 28 days.

Types of cement

Based on the chemical composition, properties, advances, and usage in construction cement types are Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC), Rapid Hardening Cement, Quick Setting Cement, Low Heat Cement, Blast Furnace Slag Cement, Sulfates Resisting Cement, High Alumina Cement, Colored Cement, White Cement, Air Entraining Cement, Expansive Cement, and Hydrographic Cement. The most commonly used cement types are OPC, PPC, and White Cement.

Grades of Cement

Mostly all types of Cement are subdivided based on the compressive strength. The grades are 33 Grade Cement which is used making low strength concrete-like reinforced slabs. 43 Grade cement is used for PCC (Plain Cement Concrete: Cement mixed with sand and water) and RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete: Cement mixed with sand, water, and gravel) works, also for plastering, tiling, brickwork, flooring, pathway and stone masonry, etc. 53 Grade Cement is used for heavy buildings like bridges, dam and other industries which requires heavy structure.

Most commonly used grades of cement

43 Grade Cement is the most commonly used cement in the construction field. Also because of the affordability and strength when compared to the other two grades this cement is preferred more. The main difference between 53 Grade and 43 Grade is 53 Grade hardens quickly whereas 43 Grade takes a little more time for hardening but the strength achieves over time are equals to 53 Grade. 43 Grade Cement takes more hydration process as a result it achieves more strength and cracks are reduced by proper curing after the masonry works. It is mostly used in making medium structures, plastering, RCC, flooring, tile fixing, precast blocks like concrete pipes and asbestos sheets.

To identify the grade of cement in India it provides the IS (Indian Standard) code. IS 8112 is given for 43 Grade cement.

Properties of 43 Grade Cement

The physical and chemical properties of the cement are as follows. Chemical properties of the cement are varying by the ratio of the chemicals present in them and also by the processing of chemicals. Physical properties are attained by Compressive strength, fineness, and setting time. During civil works, the major strength for concrete comes from the course aggregate. If the concrete mix fails it leads to crack and damage. Since the 43 Grade Cement has more hydration time, curing can be done more frequently to get a fine finish. The setting time of 53 Grade is quicker and has more heat of hydration. That’s why 43 Grade is mostly used in the Plastering works, Brick Masonry, and for concretes.

Joyce Laroche