PROPERTIES OF CEMENT- PHYSICAL & CHEMICAL
Cement, a popular binding material, is a very important civil engineering material. This article
concerns the physical and chemical properties of cement, as well as the methods to test cement
properties.
Physical Properties of Cement
Different blends of cement used in construction are characterized by their physical properties. Some
key parameters control the quality of cement. The physical properties of good cement are based on:
Fineness of cement
Soundness
Consistency
Strength
Setting time
Heat of hydration
Loss of ignition
Bulk density
Specific gravity (Relative density)
These physical properties are discussed in details in the following segment. Also, you will find the
test names associated with these physical properties.
Page 1 of 6
Fineness of Cement
The size of the particles of the cement is its fineness. The required fineness of good cement is
achieved through grinding the clinker in the last step of cement production process. As hydration rate
of cement is directly related to the cement particle size, fineness of cement is very important.
Soundness of Cement
Soundness refers to the ability of cement to not shrink upon hardening. Good quality cement retains
its volume after setting without delayed expansion, which is caused by excessive free lime and
magnesia.
Tests:
Unsoundness of cement may appear after several years, so tests for ensuring soundness must be able
to determine that potential.
Le Chatelier Test
This method, done by using Le Chatelier Apparatus, tests the expansion of cement due to
lime. Cement paste (normal consistency) is taken between glass slides and submerged in water
for 24 hours at 20±1°C. It is taken out to measure the distance between the indicators and then
returned underwater, brought to boil in 25-30 minutes and boiled for an hour. After cooling
the device, the distance between indicator points is measured again. In a good quality cement,
the distance should not exceed 10 mm.
Autoclave Test
Cement paste (of normal consistency) is placed in an autoclave (high-pressure steam vessel)
and slowly brought to 2.03 MPa, and then kept there for 3 hours. The change in length of the
specimen (after gradually bringing the autoclave to room temperature and pressure) is
measured and expressed in percentage. The requirement for good quality cement is a
maximum of 0.80% autoclave expansion.
Consistency of Cement
The ability of cement paste to flow is consistency.
It is measured by Vicat Test.
In Vicat Test Cement paste of normal consistency is taken in the Vicat Apparatus. The plunger
of the apparatus is brought down to touch the top surface of the cement. The plunger will
Page 2 of 6
penetrate the cement up to a certain depth depending on the consistency. A cement is said to
have a normal consistency when the plunger penetrates 10±1 mm.
Strength of Cement
Three types of strength of cement are measured – compressive, tensile and flexural. Various factors
affect the strength, such as water-cement ratio, cement-fine aggregate ratio, curing conditions, size
and shape of a specimen, the manner of molding and mixing, loading conditions and age. While
testing the strength, the following should be considered:
Cement mortar strength and cement concrete strength are not directly related. Cement strength
is merely a quality control measure.
The tests of strength are performed on cement mortar mix, not on cement paste.
Cement gains strength over time, so the specific time of performing the test should be
mentioned.
Compressive Strength
It is the most common strength test. A test specimen (40mm) is taken and subjected to a compressive
load until failure. The loading sequence must be within 20 seconds and 80 seconds.
Setting Time of Cement
Cement sets and hardens when water is added. This setting time can vary depending on multiple
factors, such as fineness of cement, cement-water ratio, chemical content, and admixtures. Cement
used in construction should have an initial setting time that is not too low and a final setting time not
too high. Hence, two setting times are measured:
Initial setting time: When the paste begins to stiffen noticeably (typically occurs within 30-
45 minutes)
Final setting time: When the cement hardens, being able to sustain some load (occurs below
10 hours)
Again, setting time can also be an indicator of hydration rate.
Heat of Hydration
When water is added to cement, the reaction that takes place is called hydration. Hydration generates
heat, which can affect the quality of the cement and also be beneficial in maintaining curing
temperature during cold weather. On the other hand, when heat generation is high, especially in large
structures, it may cause undesired stress. The heat of hydration is affected most by C 3S and C3A
present in cement, and also by water-cement ratio, fineness and curing temperature. The heat of
Page 3 of 6
hydration of Portland cement is calculated by determining the difference between the dry and the
partially hydrated cement (obtained by comparing these at 7th and 28th days).
Loss of Ignition
Heating a cement sample at 900°C - 1000°C (that is, until a constant weight is obtained) causes
weight loss. This loss of weight upon heating is calculated as loss of ignition. Improper and
prolonged storage or adulteration during transport or transfer may lead to pre-hydration and
carbonation, both of which might be indicated by increased loss of ignition.
Bulk density
When cement is mixed with water, the water replaces areas where there would normally be air.
Because of that, the bulk density of cement is not very important. Cement has a varying range of
density depending on the cement composition percentage. The density of cement may be anywhere
from 1.30 to 1.44 Grams per cubic centimeters.
Specific Gravity (Relative Density)
Specific gravity is generally used in mixture proportioning calculations. Portland cement has a
specific gravity of 3.15, but other types of cement (for example, portland-blast-furnace-slag and
Portland-pozzolan cement) may have specific gravities of about 2.90.
Chemical Properties of Cement
The raw materials for cement production are limestone (calcium), soil or clay , bauxite (aluminum)
and iron ore, and may include shells, chalk, marl, shale, clay, blast furnace slag, slate.
Chemical analysis of cement raw materials provides insight into the chemical properties of cement.
1. Tricalcium aluminate (C3A)
Low content of C3A makes the cement sulfate-resistant. Gypsum reduces the hydration of
C3A, which liberates a lot of heat in the early stages of hydration. C3A does not provide any
more than a little amount of strength.
Type I cement: contains up to 3.5% SO3 (in cement having more than 8% C3A)
Type II cement: contains up to 3% SO3 (in cement having less than 8% C3A)
2. Tricalcium silicate (C3S)
C3S causes rapid hydration as well as hardening and is responsible for the cement’s early
strength gain an initial setting.
Page 4 of 6
3. Dicalcium silicate (C2S)
As opposed to tricalcium silicate, which helps early strength gain, dicalcium silicate in cement
helps the strength gain after one week.
4. Ferrite (C4AF)
Ferrite is a fluxing agent. It reduces the melting temperature of the raw materials in the kiln
from 1648.89 °C to 1426.67 °C. Though it hydrates rapidly, it does not contribute much to the
strength of the cement.
5. Magnesia (MgO)
The manufacturing process of Portland cement uses magnesia as a raw material in dry process
plants. An excess amount of magnesia may make the cement unsound and expansive, but a
little amount of it can add strength to the cement. Production of MgO-based cement also
causes less CO2 emission. All cement is limited to a content of 6% MgO.
6. Sulphur trioxide
Sulfur trioxide in excess amount can make cement unsound.
7. Iron oxide/ Ferric oxide
Aside from adding strength and hardness, iron oxide or ferric oxide is mainly responsible for
the color of the cement.
8. Alkalis
The amounts of potassium oxide (K2O) and sodium oxide (Na2O) determine the alkali content
of the cement. Cement containing large amounts of alkali can cause some difficulty in
regulating the setting time of cement. Low alkali cement, when used with calcium chloride in
concrete, can cause discoloration. In slag-lime cement, ground granulated blast furnace slag is
not hydraulic on its own but is "activated" by addition of alkalis. There is an optional limit in
total alkali content of 0.60%, calculated by the equation Na2O + 0.658 K2O.
9. Free lime
Free lime, which is sometimes present in cement, may cause expansion.
10. Silica fumes
Silica fume is added to cement concrete in order to improve a variety of properties, especially
compressive strength, abrasion resistance and bond strength. Though setting time is prolonged
by the addition of silica fume, it can grant exceptionally high strength. Hence, Portland
cement containing 5-20% silica fume is usually produced for Portland cement projects that
require high strength.
11. Alumina
Cement containing high alumina has the ability to withstand frigid temperatures since alumina
is chemical-resistant. It also quickens the setting but weakens the cement.
Page 5 of 6
Page 6 of 6
