Author: haroonkhan

Cement factories are to be set up in areas where raw materials, viz., limestone or chalk and shale or clay are abundantly available. It should have adequate transport facilities like road, rail, etc., for easy transport of the finished products. Further, adequate water and power should be available to run the industry without any interruption…

Loss on ignition and insoluble residue are the two chemical properties of cement. 1. Loss of Ignition Due to the ignition of cement at a high temperature, loss in weight occurs due to the evaporation of moisture and carbon dioxide, which are present in combination with free lime or magnesia. Loss in weight is a…

1. Fineness Fineness of cement is a measure of the size of particles of the cement. It is expressed as the specific surface of cement. It is an important factor to decide the rate of gain of strength and uniformity. In general, finer the grains higher the surface area. The rate of hydration will be…

Ordinary Portland Cement should possess certain physical and chemical properties for the best performance when it is used in a structure. Further, it is possible to compare the quality of cement from different sources for proper selection. Frequent tests are to be carried out on the cement directly, on hardened cement paste or continuous on…

Alkalis should be present only in small quantities. Excess quantities of alkalis cause efflorescence and straining when used in concrete or mortar.

It makes the cement sound when present in small quantities. Excess of sulphur trioxide causes the cement to become unsound.

The correct quantity of magnesium oxide imparts hardness and colour to the cement. Soundness of cement is seriously affected, if it is present in excess quantity.

It provides colour, hardness and strength to the cement.

The quick-setting quality is imparted to the cement by alumina. Excess alumina reduces the strength of cement.