A cement is a binder, a substance that sets and hardens as the cement dries and also reacts

with carbon dioxide in the air dependently, and can bind other materials together. The word
"cement" traces to the Romans, who used the term opus caementicium to
describe masonry resembling modern concrete that was made from crushed rock with
burntlime as binder. The volcanic ash and pulverized brick additives that were added to the burnt
lime to obtain a hydraulic binder were later referred to as cementum, cimentum,cment,
and cement.
Cements used in construction can be characterized as being either hydraulic or non-hydraulic,
depending upon the ability of the cement to be used in the presence of water (see hydraulic and
non-hydraulic lime plaster).
Non-hydraulic cement will not set in wet conditions or underwater, and is attacked by some
aggressive chemicals after setting.
Hydraulic cement is made by replacing some of the cement in a concrete mix with activated
aluminium silicates, pozzolanas, such as fly ash, to activate cement setting in wet condition or
underwater and further protects hardened concrete from chemical attack (e.g., Portland cement).
The chemical process for hydraulic cement found by ancient Romans used volcanic ash
(activated aluminium silicates), to activate cement hardening between the anhydrouscement
powder and water or plaster and water instead of relying on water drying out and simultaneously
reacting with airborne carbon dioxode.
Presently cheaper, pollution free fly ash from power stations or other waste or by products are
used as pozzolanas with plain cement to produce hydraulic cement. Pozzolanas can replace up
to 40% of Portland cement.
Thus, cement can harden underwater or when constantly exposed to wet weather. The chemical
reaction results in hydrates that are not very water-soluble and so are quite durable in water and
from chemical attack. Non-hydraulic cements and plasters do not harden in wet conditions.
The most important uses of cement are as an ingredient in the production of mortar in masonry,
and of concrete, a combination of cement and an aggregate to form a strong building material.

Portland cement
Portland cement is by far the most common type of cement in general use around the world. This
cement is made by heating limestone (calcium carbonate) with small quantities of other materials
(such as clay) to 1450 C in a kiln, in a process known as calcination, whereby a molecule
of carbon dioxide is liberated from the calcium carbonate to formcalcium oxide, or quicklime,
which is then blended with the other materials that have been included in the mix. The resulting
hard substance, called 'clinker', is then ground with a small amount of gypsum into a powder to
make 'Ordinary Portland Cement', the most commonly used type of cement (often referred to as
OPC). Portland cement is a basic ingredient of concrete, mortar and most non-specialty grout.
The most common use for Portland cement is in the production of concrete. Concrete is a
composite material consisting of aggregate (gravel and sand), cement, and water. As a
construction material, concrete can be cast in almost any shape desired, and once hardened,
can become a structural (load bearing) element. Portland cement may be grey or white.

Curing
Cement sets or cures when mixed with water which causes a series of hydration chemical
reactions. The constituents slowly hydrate and crystallize; the interlocking of the crystals gives
cement its strength. Maintaining a high moisture content in cement during curing increases both
the speed of curing, and its final strength. Gypsum is often added to Portland cement to prevent
early hardening or "flash setting", allowing a longer working time. The time it takes for cement to
cure varies depending on the mixture and environmental conditions; initial hardening can occur in
as little as twenty minutes, while full cure can take over a month. Cement typically cures to the
extent that it can be put into service within 24 hours to a week.
Green cement
Green cement is a cementitious material that meets or exceeds the functional performance
capabilities of ordinary Portland cement by incorporating and optimizing recycled materials,
thereby reducing consumption of natural raw materials, water, and energy, resulting in a more
sustainable construction material.
The manufacturing process for green cement succeeds in reducing, and even eliminating, the
production and release of damaging pollutants and greenhouse gasses, particularly CO
2
.
Growing environmental concerns and increasing cost of fuels of fossil origin have resulted in
many countries in sharp reduction of the resources needed to produce cement and effluents
(dust and exhaust gases)
Environmental impacts
Cement manufacture causes environmental impacts at all stages of the process. These include
emissions of airborne pollution in the form of dust, gases, noise and vibration when operating
machinery and during blasting in quarries, and damage to countryside from quarrying. Equipment
to reduce dust emissions during quarrying and manufacture of cement is widely used, and
equipment to trap and separate exhaust gases are coming into increased use. Environmental
protection also includes the re-integration of quarries into the countryside after they have been
closed down by returning them to nature or re-cultivating them