What Are The Varieties Of Cement Used In Construction?

When it’s cement, we can’t doubt the prowess it possesses. Cement is one of the most versatile and widely used building materials in the modern world. Look around yourself and you will find towering skyscrapers, residential buildings, condos and penthouses, standing firm for years in their own aesthetic beauty. Cement when mixed with aggregate, admixtures and water form a heterogeneous mixture which is strong enough to withstand any weight. The requirement of high-quality concrete is essential for adequate strength development to hold the structure firmly. The quality of the cement confirms the strength of the concrete and the base of the construction of any building. Better the quality of the cement, higher will be its ability to resist environmental degradation and protect the building from the vagaries of nature and other elements.

The quality of the cement should be checked before making the purchase by reading the manufacturing date and prescription of the time of use. You can easily check the quality by crumbling the cement in your hands and see if they form lumps in your hand. If they form lumps, then it’s an indication of excessive silt content.

Now, besides the ordinary Portland cement, there are some other varieties of cement used by cement contractors in Brooklyn which deserve mention.

1. White: This cement attains such a color since it is free from coloring oxides such as manganese, iron, and chromium and is manufactured using oil. This cement is used for plastering, finishing, decorating such as marbles and glazed tiles.
2. Colored: Cement is usually given colors by mixing pigments with it. Chromium oxide makes it green, cobalt makes it blue, and iron oxide makes it brown, red and yellow. This cement is used to give colors to walls, floors and window sills.
3. Low Heat: This cement is used by cement contractors for huge construction works such as dams. Low heat cement contains 5% tricalcium aluminate and 46% dicalcium silicate which helps to keep the construction intact.
4. Quick setting: This type of cement is formed by adding a little aluminum sulfate and reduce the amount of gypsum. Since it is very finely grained, it starts settling within 5 mins and by half an hour it becomes hard.