CEMENT CHEMISTRY & TYPES OF CEMENT

Cement is a hydraulic binder, i.e., an inorganic, non-metallic, finely ground substance which, after
mixing with water, sets and hardens independently as a result of chemical reactions with the mixing
water and, after hardening, it remains its strength and stability even under water. The most
important area of application is therefore the production of mortar and concrete, i.e., the bonding
of natural or artificial aggregates to form a strong building material which is durable in the face of
normal environmental effects.
Portland cement is the name given to a cement obtained by intimately mixing together calcareous
and argillaceous, or other silica, alumina, and iron oxide bearing materials, burning them at a
clinkering temperature, and grinding the resulting clinker. Nevertheless, cement can be considered
as being in frozen equilibrium, i.e., the cooled products are assumed to reproduce the equilibrium
existing at the clinkering temperature.
Major Compounds in Cement: In all the Portland Cements, there are four major compounds. The
variation in percentage composition of compounds influences the properties of cement. These
compounds are given in table 1.1 below:
Table 1.1
Composition of cement
SN
1
2

Name of
compound
Tricalcium
Silicate
Dicalcium
Silicate

Oxide
composition

Abbreviati
on

Approx
Percentage

3CaO.SiO2

C3 S

45-55%

2CaO.SiO2

C2 S

20-30%

Tricalcium
Aluminate

3CaO.AI2O3

C3 A

6-10%

Tetracalcium
Aluminoferrite

4CaO.AI2O3
Fe2O3

C4AF

15-20%

Function
Mainly responsible for
early & later strength
Mainly responsible for later
strength (7 days and beyond)
C3A increases rate of
hydration of C3S. C3A gives
flash set in absence of
gypsum
It hydrates rapidly but its
contribution to strength is
uncertain and generally very
low.

These main phases are present in the clinker and in the non-hydrated Portland cement.
They are formed at high temperature (1450 C) in the cement kiln. Compounds referred as C3S, C2S,
C3A and C4AF are known as the main crystalline phases of Portland cement. The phase composition
of a particular cement can be quantified through a complex set of calculation known as the Bogue
Formula.

Main phases in Portland cement before and after hydration:

These oxides are used to build more complex compounds. The main crystalline phases described
hereafter are related respectively to the composition of:

CCN
CH

Clinker and non-hydrated Portland cement, and;

Hardened cement pastes obtained after hydration and cement setting.
Hydrated cement paste
Hydration products formed in hardened cement pastes (HCP) are more complicated,
because many of these products have nearly the same formula and some are solidsolutions with overlapping formula. Some examples are given below:
Actual Formula
Ca(OH)2 or CaO H2O
2(CaO) SiO2 0.9-1.25(H2O), and/or;
CaO SiO2 1.1(H2O), and/or;
0.8-1.5(CaO) SiO2 1.0-2.5(H2O)
This is even more complex than C-S-H
C3AS3H30-32
C2ASH12
3CaO Al2O3 6 H2O

C-S-H
C-A-H
AFt
AFm
C3AH6

Name or Mineral Phase

Calcium hydroxide
Calcium Silicate Hydrate
Calcium Aluminate Hydrate
Aluminum trisulfate, or ettringite
Aluminum monosulfate
Hydrogarnet

The hyphens in C-S-H indicate a calcium silicate hydrate phase of variable

composition, whilst CSH indicates a calcium silicate phase CaH 2SiO4.

Different types of cement produced in India:

Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC): This is by far the most common cement used in general
concrete construction when there is no exposure to sulphates in the soil or in ground water.
In consequence, modern cements have higher 28 days strength than the past, but the later
gain in strength is smaller. A practical consequence of this is that we can no longer expect
improvement with age. Ordinary Portland cement is the cement most widely used.
Moreover, using highly early strength cement for a given specified 28 days strength of
concrete, it is possible to use a leaner mix, with higher water/ cement ratio. Some of these
mixes have an inadequate durability.
Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC) contains up to 35% fly ash. The fly ash is pozzolanic, so
that ultimate strength is maintained. Because fly ash addition allows a lower concrete water
content, early strength can also be maintained. Where good quality cheap fly ash is
available, this can be an economic alternative to ordinary Portland cement.
As a rule, Portland Pozolana Cements gain strength slowly and therefore require curing over
a comparatively long period, but the long term strength is high shows that similar behaviour
occurs where the pozzolana replaces part of cement, but the long-term strength depends on
the level of replacement.
2

 Portland Slag Cement (PSC) contains up to 70% ground granulated blast furnace slag, with
the rest Portland clinker and a little gypsum. All compositions produce high ultimate
strength, but as slag content is increased, early strength is reduced, while sulfate resistance
increases and heat evolution diminishes. Used as an economic alternative to Portland
sulfate-resisting and low-heat cements.
The hydration of slag is initiated when lime liberated in the hydration of Portland Cement
provides the correct alkalinity; subsequent hydration does not depend on lime. Typical uses
are in mass concrete because of lower heat of hydration and in sea-water construction
because of a better sulphate resistance (due to a lower C3A content)than with ordinary
Portland cement. Slag with a low alkali content can also be used with an aggregate
suspected of alkali reactivity.

It is necessary to use cement of appropriate grade and type for specific applications
and environment conditions. Various type of cement produced in India are shown in
table 1.1.
Table 1.1
Various type of cement under IS codes.
Sl.No.

1
2
3

Cement Variety

As per code

OPC (Ordinary Portland Cement)

Gd-33 IS : 269-1989
Gd-43 IS : 8112-1989
Gd-53 IS : 12269-1987

PPC(Portland Pozzolana
Cement)
PBFSC (Portland Blast Furnace
Slag Cement)
Others Rapid Hardening Cement
Low Heat Cement
Sulphate Resisting Cement
Super sulphated Cement

IS : 1489-1991
IS : 455-1989
IS : 8041-1990
IS :12600-1989
IS :12330-1988
IS : 6909-1990

1.2 The physical and chemical characteristics of various cements are given in Table 1.3 & 1.4

Table 1.3
Physical characteristics of various types of cement
Sr.
No.

1
2
3

9
10
11
12

Type of
Cement

33 grade OPC
(IS 2691989)
43 grade OPC
(IS 8112
1989)
53 grade OPC
(IS 12269
1987)
Sulphate
Resisting
Cement. SRC
(IS 12330
1988)
Portland
Pozzolana
Cement. PPC
(IS 1489
1991) Part-I
Rapid
Hardening
Cement. PPC
(IS 8041
1990)
Portland Slag
Cement. PSC
(IS 4551989)
Super
Sulphated
Cement. (IS
69091990)
Low Heat
Cement. (IS
126001989)
Masonry
Cement. (IS
34661988)
43-S grade
OPC (IS 8112
1989)
53-S grade
OPC (IS
122691987)

Finene
ss
(m2 /
Kg)
Min

Soundness

Setting Time
(minutes)
Initial
Final
(min)
(max)

Le- Chat
(max)
(mm)

Autoclave
(max) (%)

225

10

0.8

30

225

10

0.8

225

10

225

Compressive Strength (MPa)

1D
(min)

3D
(min)

7D
(min)

28 D
(min)

600

NS

16

22

33

30

600

NS

23

33

Min-43
Max-58

0.8

30

600

NS

27

37

53

10

0.8

30

600

NS

10

16

33

300

10

0.8

30

600

NS

16

22

33

325

10

0.8

30

600

16

27

NS

NS

225

10

0.8

30

600

NS

16

22

33

400

NS

30

600

NS

15

22

30

320

10

0.8

60

600

NS

10

16

35

10

1.0

90

1440

NS

NS

2.5

5.0

370

10

0.8

60

600

NS

NS

37.5

NS

370

10

0.8

60

600

NS

NS

37.5

NS

NS-Not specified.
*residue on 45 Micron IS sieve, Max, Percent (by wet sieving) is 15.
4

Table 1.4
Chemical characteristics of various types of cement
Sr.
No.
1
2
3

10
11

Type of
Cement
33 grade OPC
(IS 2691989)
43 grade OPC
(IS 8112
1989)
53 grade OPC
(IS 12269
1987)
Sulphate
Resisting
Cement. SRC
(IS 12330
1988)
Portland
Pozzolana
Cement. PPC
(IS 1489
1991) Part-I
Rapid
Hardening
Cement. PPC
(IS 8041
1990)
Portland Slag
Cement. PSC
(IS 4551989)
Super
Sulphated
Cement. (IS
69091990)
Low Heat
Cement. (IS
126001989)

43-S grade
OPC (IS 8112
1989)
53-S grade
OPC (IS
122691987)

Lime
Saturation
Factor (%)
0.66 Min.
1.02 Max.

Alumina Iron
Ratio (%)
Min.

Insoluble
Residue
(%) Max.

Magnesia
(%) Max.

Sulphuric
Anhydride
(%) Max.

Loss on Ignition
(%) Max.

0.66

4.0

6.0

3.5

5.0

0.66 Min.
1.02 Max.

0.66

4.0

6.0

3.5

5.0

0.80 Min.
1.02 Max.

0.66

4.0

6.0

3.5

4.0

0.66 Min.
1.02 Max.

NS

4.0

6.0

2.5

5.0

NS

NS

X+4 (100X)/100

6.0

3.0

5.0

5.0

0.66 Min.
1.02 Max.

0.66

4.0

6.0

2.5 % Max.
When C3A is
5.0 or less.
3.0% Max.
When C3A is
greater than
5.0

NS

NS

4.0

8.0

3.0% Max.

5.0

NS

NS

4.0

10.0

6.0% Min.

NS

NS

NS

0.66

4.0

6.0

2.5 % Max.
When C3A is
5.0 or less.
3.0% Max.
When C3A is
greater than
5.0

0.66 Min.
1.02 Max.

0.66

4.0

5.0

3.5

0.80 Min.
1.02 Max.

0.66

4.0

5.0

3.5

X - Declared percentage of fly ash.

LOI 5.0% Max.

C3A 10.0 % Max.
C3S 45.0% Min.
LOI 4.0% Max.
C3A 10.0 % Max.
C3S 45.0% Min.

NS - Not specified.
5

1.5 Factors affecting choice of cement: Following factors govern choice of cement.
Durability Characteristics
Functional requirement - Deflection, crack width etc.
Design parameters- Strength, fineness, setting time requirement etc.
Speed of construction- Time for construction etc.
Environmental Conditions- Ground conditions, soluble salts, sulphates, Chemical plants etc.

1.6 Suitability of various types of cement:

A. 33 grade OPC:
It is used for normal grade of concrete upto M-20, plastering, flooring, grouting of
cable ducts in PSC works etc. The fineness should be between 225 and 280.
B. 43 grade OPC:
It is the most widely used general purpose cement.
For concrete grades upto M-30, precast elements.
For marine structures but C3A should be between 5 - 8%.
C. 53 grade OPC:
For concrete grade higher than M-30, PSC works, bridge, roads, multistoried
buildings etc.
For use in cold weather concreting.
For marine structures but C3A should be between 5 - 8%.
D. Portland Slag Cement (PSC) i.e. OPC + granulated slag: It gives low heat of hydration. The
slag should be more than 50% and upto 70%. It is used for ;
Marine and off shore structures- very high chloride and sulphate resistant.
Sewage disposal treatments works
Water treatment plants
Constructions which are expected to be attacked by dissolved chlorides and sulphate
ions.
Should be mainly used for all future structures.

E. Portland Pozzolana Cement: IS: 1489(part-I) - 1991 (using flyash):

It gives low heat of hydration and reduces the leaching of calcium hydroxide. This
cement should be used only after proper evaluation. This should be tested as per IS:
1489 (Pt I) 1991. It is used for :
hydraulic structures- dams, retaining walls
Marine structures
Mass concrete works- like bridge footings
under aggressive conditions
Masonry mortar and plastering.
F. SRC- Sulphate Resisting Cement: (C3A < 5%)
Sulphate Resisting Portland Cement is a type of Portland Cement in which the
amount of tricalcium aluminate (C3A) is restricted to lower than 5% and 2C3A + C4AF
lower than 25%. The SRC can be used for structural concrete wherever OPC or PPC or
Slag Cement are usable under normal conditions.
The use of SRC is particularly beneficial in such conditions where the concrete is
exposed to the risk of deterioration due to sulphate attack, for example, in contact
with soils and ground waters containing excessive amounts of sulphates as well as
for concrete in sea water or exposed directly to sea coast . The IS 456 (revised draft
code) has made elaborate provisions for use of particular type of cement against
different percentages of soluble sulphate salts. These provisions are given in table
1.6 below:
Table 1.6
Recommendations of different cements (for application) based on SO3 in soil.
Concentration of Sulphates
expressed as SO3
SO3 in 2:1 water : In ground water
soil extract (g/L)
(g/L)
<1.0
<0.3

Class

In soil Total SO3

%

> 0.2

0.2 0.5

1.0-1.9

0.3-1.2

0.5 1.0

1.9-3.1

1.2 2.5

1.0 2.0

3.1-5.0

2.5 5.0

>2.0

>5.0

>5.0

Type of cement
OPC, PSC or PPC
OPC, PSC or PPC
SSC or SRC
SSC or SRC
PSC or PPC
SSC or SRC
SRC or SSC with protective
coating

The use of SRC is recommended for following applications:

Foundations, piles
Basement and underground structures
Sewage and water treatment plants
Chemical factories
Suitable for underground works where Sulphate is present in the Soil and water.

Attention:
i)
ii)

Sulphate resisting cement is not suitable where there is danger of chloride attack.
This will cause corrosion of rebar.
If both Chlorides and Sulphates are present, Ordinary Portland Cement with C3A
between 5& 8 should be used.

Sulphate resistance of cements : Chemical resistance of various types of cement in different

environmental conditions is given in table 6.7 .
Table 1.7
Type of
Cement
Ordinary Portland

Pozzolana
Slag

Moderate
C3A <8%

No special
prescription
Slag > 36%

Chemicals resistance to sulphates

High
Very High
C3A <5%
C3A =0%
2C3A+C4AF<25%
C4AF< 20%
or
or
C4AF +C2F<25%
C4AF +C2F<20%
C3A <6%
C3A < 3.5%
Slag > 70%

C3A < 2%

G. Low heat portland cement : Low Heat Portland Cement is particularly suited for making
concrete for dams and many other types of water retaining structures, bridge abutments,
massive retaining walls, piers and slabs etc. In mass concreting, there is often considerable
rise in temperature because of the heat produced as the cement sets and hardens. The
shrinkage which occurs on subsequent cooling sets up tensile stresses in the concrete, may
result in cracking. The use of low heat cement is advantageous since it evolves less heat
than OPC. This cement is not available in the market on regular basis and has to be obtained
on specific orders.
H. Rapid hardening cement : The Rapid Hardening Cement is used for repair and rehabilitation
works and where speed of construction and early completion is required due to limitations
of time, space or other reasons. The cement is to be used in cold weather concreting i.e.
8

temp < 5 0C. Rapid hardening cement is basically OPC but its fineness is 3250 cm2/gm
against 2250cm2/gm in case of OPC. The compressive strength after 1 day is 16 N/mm2 and
that of 3 days 27N/mm2. These days higher grade OPC are available in the country to meet
these requirements and therefore, this cement is not being manufactured and marketed on
regular basis. The characteristics of this cement can be effectively met by only good quality
53 grade OPC.
I. Special grade cement (43-S and 53-S): Special Grade Cement is manufactured as per
specification laid down by BIS IS 8112 & 12269. It is a very finely ground cement with high
C3S content designed to develop high early strength required for manufacture of concrete
sleeper for Indian Railways. This cement can also be used with advantage for other
applications where high strength concrete is required. This cement can be used for
prestressed concrete elements, high rise buildings, high strength concrete etc.

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