Most of the time, the terms cement & concrete are used interchangeably to denote the same thing. But, the truth is – concrete & cement are not the same material. They’re different materials used for different needs.
What Do You Mean By Cement?
In simple terms, cement can be defined as an ingredient that’s used for making concrete exposed aggregate driveways in Melbourne. Cement is itself a mixture of limestone & clay, where both ingredients are heated to extremely high temperatures and then tuned into fine powder.
The heating procedure is crucial in activating the hydration process as well as the chemical binding action that cement is widely known for. If you simply grind and mix limestone with clay, you will not obtain the same results, when compared to heating them & then grinding them. The temperature limit that’s used for heating limestone & clay for the creation of cement is around 2642 degrees Fahrenheit.
What Do You Mean By Concrete?
Concrete can be defined as a mixture of different materials, such as mixing water with aggregates. The aggregates consist of gravel, sand, stones, ground brick powder, cement and pebbles. The kind of aggregates that will be used in the formation of concrete will determine how strong the concrete will be.
For example, if you mix ground brick powder, sand and gravel, you will obtain a cement mixture that will be ideal for creating paving tiles. However, the mixture will not be as strong as a traditional concrete mixture containing cement. The primary reason behind such a difference in feature is that – cement offers the hydration process as well as the chemical binding property that brick powder cannot.
Can Cement Be Used For Any Other Use Other Than Concrete?
It can be surprising to learn that cement isn’t just used for mixing with aggregates for the formation of concrete. Cement can also be used for the creation of other materials. For example, cement plaster or plaster powder is created from a mixture of sand & cement. Additionally, water is added to the plaster powder to create the plaster paste, which can then be utilised for a variety of different purposes.
Another alternative use of cement will be mortar. Mortar is commonly used between bricks so that the bricks stay in their place. The mortar powder is created by combining sand and cement. And then when the mortar powder is mixed with water, you will be able to experience wet mortar, which can be used for the aforementioned purpose.
The Different Types Of Cement
There are quite a few types of cement out there and they are as follows:
- Coloured Cement
- Portland Cement
- Expansive Cement
- White Cement
- Pozzolana Portland Cement
- Quick Hardening Cement
- Quick Drying Cement
The only difference that exists between the above-mentioned types of concrete is the different types of materials used in their composition. Moreover, you must learn that over the years, gypsum powder has been used in cement as well, which helps in regulating the curing & hardening time for cement by keeping it slow. As a result, when cement is used for large construction projects, the gypsum inclusion helps in keeping the concrete workable & wet for a lengthier period.
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