What Is Cement? Why Cement Is Important in Construction . How is Cement Made? Types of Cement and Their Uses.

 What Is Cement?  Why Cement Is Important in Construction . How is Cement Made? Types of Cement and Their Uses.

What is Cement?

Cement is defined as a binding agent that is used to bind various construction materials. Given its adhesive and cohesive properties, it is an essential ingredient of concrete and mortar. Cement is mixed with water to form a paste that binds aggregates like sand or crushed rocks. Calcium, silicon, iron and aluminium compounds are closely ground to form a fine powdered product – cement.

Why Cement Is Important in Construction

Cement is the backbone of modern construction.
Without cement, structures would lack strength, stability, and durability.

From individual homes to large-scale infrastructure like bridges, highways, and dams, cement plays a critical role in holding construction materials together. When mixed with water and aggregates, cement undergoes a chemical reaction called hydration, which gives concrete its strength over time.

How is Cement Made? 

Now that you know the meaning of cement, let’s understand how it’s made: 

1. Rock quarries are blasted with explosives to get limestone (calcium carbonate) and clay. These raw materials are transported to crushing units to be crushed into smaller particles. 
2. The above raw material is then mixed with additional components like silica, iron ore, etc., to make the required cement type. 
3. Various types of grinding mills are used to ground the above mixture into a homogenous mixture. 
4. This mixture is fed into a kiln that burns it at extremely high temperatures. A process known as sintering converts the mixture into clinker. The clinker resembles marble-sized pebbles. 
5. Next, the clinker is cooled down and stored in silos and later ground into a fine powder (cement) with grinding mills. 
6. The cement is packed into different types of packaging and shipped. 

 

Types of Cement and Their Uses

Cement can be categorised into two main types – hydraulic and non-hydraulic cement. 

Hydraulic cement is formed by the reaction of powdered cement with water. You can use it for all types of construction, including underwater construction projects. Non-hydraulic cement sets and becomes adhesive due to carbonation. You can use it for various construction projects, except underwater construction projects. 

Hydraulic cement is the most commonly used cement. Portland cement is a type of hydraulic cement that’s been a preferred choice for architects, engineers, and constructors. The primary reason behind its popularity is its ability to harden quickly.