Cement Chemistry Types of Cement: Technical Differences and Composition

Cement is a hydraulic binder, i.e., an inorganic, non-metallic, finely ground substance which, after mixing with water, sets and hardens independently as a result of chemical reactions with the mixing water and, after hardening, it remains its strength and stability even under water. The most important area of application is therefore the production of mortar and concrete, i.e., the bonding of natural or artificial aggregates to form a strong building material which is durable in the face of normal environmental effects.
Portland cement is the name given to a cement obtained by intimately mixing together calcareous and argillaceous, or other silica, alumina, and iron oxide bearing materials, burning them at a clinkering temperature, and grinding the resulting clinker. Nevertheless, cement can be considered as being in frozen equilibrium, i.e., the cooled products are assumed to reproduce the equilibrium existing at the clinkering temperature.
Major Compounds in Cement: In all the Portland Cements, there are four major compounds. The variation in percentage composition of compounds influences the properties of cement. These compounds are given in table 1.1 below:

Table 1.1
Composition of cement