What are the top 5 types of cement used in India and what are their applications?

Cement is a crucial component in the production of concrete. In fact, cement is a binder. It's a building material that hardens, sets, and adheres to other materials. It aids in their bonding. Cement is rarely used on its own. It's mainly used to hold sand and gravel together. India is the second largest producer of cement in the world. Generally, it is categorized through grades and these grades define the strength of the cement. There are many types of cement used in India, let's look at the most commonly used cement and their applications.

1. Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC):

One of the most common types of cement is Ordinary Portland cement. Ordinary Portland Cement is made of argillaceous or alumina silicates (clay and shale) and calcareous or calcium carbonate as raw materials (limestone, chalk, and marl). 

Applications of Ordinary Portland Cement:

• It is used for general construction purposes like plastering and flooring

• It is used for high-rise buildings, commercial and industrial buildings

2. Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC):

Portland Pozzolana Cement is made from OPC clinker, Gypsum, and Pozzolanic Materials. PPC is an eco-sustainable product because it is made from fly ash, a byproduct of thermal power plants. It is more resistant to alkali-silica reactions. 

Applications of Portland Pozzolana Cement:

• Because of its low hydration heat, it is preferred in mass construction

• It is also used to construct marine structures, hydraulic structures, dam constructions, etc.

3. Sulphate Resisting Portland Cement (SRPC):

Sulphate Resisting Portland Cement (SRPC) is a speciality cement used when sulphates are present at levels that damage concrete made with CEM I or CEM II cement. Also, it is used where concrete is in contact with soil, groundwater, seawater, or exposed to shore. 

Applications of Sulphate Resisting Portland Cement:

• It is used in foundations and piling works

• It is used in sewage and water treatment plants

4. Portland Slag Cement (PSC):

Portland slag cement is one of the types of blended cement. It is made by mixing Portland cement clinker, gypsum, and granular blast furnace slag in proper proportions and grinding the mixture to obtain a thorough and intimate blend between the components. 

Applications of Portland Slag Cement:

• It is used in residential, commercial, and industrial works

• Due to its high compressive strength, it is used to build roads and bridges, and dams. 

5. White Cement:

White cement is similar to ordinary grey cement in all facets except for its high whiteness. White cement is used in combination with white aggregate to produce white concrete for prestigious construction and decorative works. White cement is also used in combination with inorganic pigments to produce light-coloured concrete and mortar.

Applications of White Cement:

• It is used for tiles and flooring works

• It is used to increase architectural beauty

As Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) and Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC) are the most commonly used cement in construction works, it is not an easy task to choose the perfect cement for your construction. Let’s make your choice easier. Wonder Cement produces the best quality Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) and Pozzolana Portland Cement (PPC), which is made of limestone. And, Wonder Cement has the best source of limestone in India.