Properties of cement

Cement :- 

The cement to be used in construction works must have adequate qualities.The properties of cement on the basis of the tests may be divided as.

1. Physical Properties
2. Chemical Properties
3. Mechanical Properties

(1) Physical Properties : The important physical properties of cement are fineness, soundness etc. The physical properties of cement may be determined by physical test on cement. The different physical test are :

        (a) Test For fineness

        (b) Test for normal Consistency

        (c) Test for soundness

(2) Chemical Properties : The chemical properties may be determined by chemical composition of cement.

        (a) Loss on Ignition test

        (b) Test for insoluble residue

        (c) Test for presence of free lime

(3) Mechanical properties : The important mechanical properties are :

        (a) Compressive Strength

        (b) Tensile strength

(4) Fineness : The fineness of cement is defined as the measure the size of particles. This property determines the quality of cement. Fineness may also be defined as the grain size of cement particles through which large proportion may be pass through.

• The fineness may be expressed in terms of specific surface of cement.
• For a given weight of cement, for fine cement the surface area is more and for coarser cement, the surface area is less.
• Rate of hydration also depends upon fineness of cement. The finer the cement, the higher is the rate of hydration. It is because the more area is available for chemical reactions
• Also compressive strength of cement is adversely affected by fineness of cement. The finer the cement, lesser is the compressive strength.
• If the cement is grounded beyond a certain limits its cementative properties may be decreased.

Cement is very useful material for any construction material. Different type of cement used in different construction. Cement  is very important building material.