Products and services

11

Part 1: Products and services

12
Products and services
 Holcim Cement and Slagment
13

Holcim Cement and Slagment

Holcim Cement and Slagment

Contents

Overview 15

Holcim Cement and Slagment locations 16

14 All Purpose Cement 17

High Strength Cement 18

Rapid Hard Cement 19

Holcim Slagment 20
Holcim Cement

Holcim Cement and Slagment

Holcim Cement has produced the finest quality cement Product descriptions
products for the Southern African building, construc- To simplify identification and make best use of product
tion and other related markets for over 60 years. features, Holcim cement products are identified by the
Fineness and chemical composition are carefully following brand names, as well as by colour coding on
controlled to ensure consistent performance in the bags and on the seals of bulk transport vehicles.
relevant strength class.
15
Table 1: Holcim brand name vs cement classification
The manufacturing facilities of Holcim South Africa are
Cement
ISO 9001:2000[1] certified and have stringent Quality Brand name
classification
Management Systems, which subject the cement
CEM II B-L 32,5 N
manufacturing process to strict quality control at every
Holcim All Purpose Cement CEM II B-V 32,5 N
stage to ensure compliance of all our cements with
CEM V A 32,5 N
SANS 50197-1:2000[2].

Holcim High Strength Cement CEM II A-M 42,5 N

Holcim South Africa offer a wide range of technical
assistance, including mix designs to allow clients to
fully exploit the entire spectrum of strength, durability
Holcim Rapid Hard Cement CEM I 52,5 N
and workability properties that are possible with
Holcim cement.
For requirements of different SANS 50197:2000
Trial mix evaluation using the materials available on cement classifications, see Figure 1, and Standards and
site is recommended to optimise the performance of specifications, p67.
any cement.

See also Hardened and time-dependent properties of

concrete, p135.

Figure 1: Cement classification relevant to Holcim products

Type and composition Percentage of mineral Mineral component

component of the blend L Limestone
CEM I Portland cement (OPC) by mass
V Fly ash
CEM II A 6-20%
CEM II Portland cement + S GGBS
mineral component CEM II B 21-35%
(S-V) GGBS and fly ash
CEM V Portland cement + CEM V A 36-60%
mineral components M Fly ash + GGBS/limestone

CEM II B-V 32,5 N Rate of strength gain

N Normal
R Rapid
Strength class
 Holcim Cement and Slagment locations
Holcim Cement and Slagment

4
6
14
15 Windhoek
11 3
16 Johannesburg 1 Swaziland
13 8 1 Alrode (Slagment)
2 Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein
2 3 Brakpan

Kimberley 4 Dudfield
12 5 East London
7
Lesotho 6 Lichtenburg
7 Maseru
8 Matsapha
9 Mokopane
10 10 Queenstown
11 Roodepoort
5
12 Ulco

Port Elizabeth 13 Vanderbijlpark

Cape Town
14 Waltloo
15 Windhoek

Our products are readily available throughout All High Rapid

Purpose Strength Hard Slagment
Southern Africa from the following facilities. Cement Cement Cement

Region Factory, plant 50 kg bags Bulk

or depot

Eastern Cape
East London - - -
Queenstown - - -
Free State Bloemfontein - -
Brakpan
Gauteng Roodepoort
Waltloo - - -
Lesotho Maseru - - - -
Namibia Windhoek -
North West
Dudfield -
Lichtenburg - - -
Northern Cape Ulco -
Swaziland Matsapha - -
Mpumalanga Mokopane
- - - -
Gauteng Vanderbijlpark -
Contact our sales staff for specific cement classifications available at the different factories, plants and depots.
Technical product details

Holcim Cement and Slagment

Holcim All Purpose Cement
CEM II B-L 32,5 N; CEM II B-V 32,5 N; CEM V A 32,5 N

Product features, applications and benefits Table 3: Typical physical characteristics

� Economic mix design The following approximate values may vary slightly.
17
� Improved cohesiveness Physical characteristics

Fly ash and limestone have a filler effect, giving

Relative density 3,05
mortars and plasters made with Holcim All Purpose Loose bulk density when fluidised 1 100 kg/m3
Loose bulk density after consolidation 1 500 kg/m3
Cement a slightly lower water demand. This increases Residue on 90 µm sieve 2,0%
the cohesiveness of the mix, which improves its
workability. Table 4: Performance
The typical performance of Holcim All Purpose
� Reduced permeability Cement in relation to the criteria specified in SANS
Mineral components improve the density of concrete, 50197-1:2000 is tabulated below. Actual values may
reducing penetration of harmful substances such as vary slightly.
oxygen, moisture, carbon dioxide, chlorides or
SANS 50197-1
sulphates, minimizing the risk of corrosion and Physical properties requirement for CEM II B-L CEM II B-V
CEM V A
(S-V)
improving durability. class 32,5

Initial set, minutes > 60 ±140 ±140 ±175

Classification Soundness, mm < 10 1 1 1

Percentages of the different mineral components in ISO Strength results
this product may vary within specified limits. Early strength at
7 days, MPa ≥ 16 ±35 ±25 ±24

See Figure 1 for permitted percentages of mineral Standard strength at

≥ 32,5 ≤ 52,5 ±44 ±44 ±44
28 days, MPa
component, p15. See also Standards and specifications, Chemical results
p67. Sulphate (SO3) ≤ 3,5 ≤ 2,1 ≤ 2,0 ≤ 2,1
content, %

Table 2: Typical chemical composition Chloride (CI-), % ≤ 0,1 ≤ 0,1 ≤ 0,1 ≤ 0,1

The following approximate values are given here to Typical concrete results achieved with a standard laboratory test at a constant
w:c of 0,67
assist customers and students with research/projects. 3 days, MPa N/A ±16 ±12 ±10
The values may vary slightly.
7 days, MPa N/A ±23 ±17 ±16
Chemical 28 days, MPa N/A ±30 ±28 ±28
All Purpose Cement
compound

(as a percentage by mass -

CEM II B-L CEM II B- V CEM V A (S-V)
LOI free basis)
Loss on ignition 7,5 1,5 1,0

Free lime 1,3 0,95 1,0

SiO2 20,7 30,1 28,1

AI2O3 4,2 12,1 12,1

Fe2O3 2,4 3,4 2,6

CaO 65,0 48,1 49,9

MgO 2,6 1,5 3,8

K2O 0,8 0,5 0,6

TiO2 0,3 0,9 0,5

Na2O 0,02 0,06 0,02

SO3 2,1 2,0 2,1

Mn2O3 0,9 0,5 0,7

 Holcim High Strength Cement
CEM II A-M 42,5 N
Holcim Cement and Slagment

Product features, applications and benefits See also Minimising the risk of corrosion to
� Versatility reinforcement, p162 and Sulphate resistance, p165.
Whether used on its own or further extended with
selected mineral components or with plasticisers, Table 5: Typical physical characteristics
Holcim High Strength Cement can be used for The following approximate values may vary slightly.
concrete product manufacture (CPM), readymix and
site-batched concrete to produce a wide range of Physical characteristics
18
specific cost-effective solutions in terms of strength, Relative density 3,05
durability and workability. Applications include mass Loose bulk density when fluidised 1 100 kg/m3
Loose bulk density after consolidation 1 500 kg/m3
concrete structures where low heat of hydration is Residue on 90 µm sieve 2,0%
required, super-workable concrete, pumped concrete
and ground slabs. Table 6: Typical chemical composition
The following approximate values may vary slightly.
See also Concrete for industrial floors, p113 and Mass
Chemical
concrete, p115. compound High Strength Cement

(as a percentage by mass - CEM II A-M (V) CEM II A-M (S) CEM II A-M (L)
LOI free basis)
� High early-age strength
Loss on ignition 1,7 1,0 5,4
The typical high early-strength of Holcim High
Strength Cement offers outstanding benefits in terms Free lime 2,0 0,95 1,1

of time saving and meeting production deadlines. SiO2 25,0 23,7 20,6

Applications include post-tensioned and pre-stressed AI2O3 7,3 5,9 4,3

members, early stripping of formwork in fast-track Fe2O3 3,0 2,3 2,4
construction and concreting in cold weather. CaO 60,4 59,5 64,6

MgO 1,5 4,0 2,5

See also Concreting in adverse temperatures, p167.
K2O 0,4 0,5 0,7

Workability and durability TiO2 0,5 0,3 0,2

The mineral components used in Holcim High Na2O 0,06 0,06 0,02

Strength Cement improve the durability of concrete SO3 2,3 2,5 2,3
in aggressive environments such as sewage Mn2O3 0,1 0,5 0,9
treatment works and concrete structures in marine
environments. The extremely fine particles of the
Table 7: Performance
mineral components act as nuclei for the formation
The typical performance of Holcim High Strength
of calcium silica hydrate, giving a fine-filler effect to
Cement in relation to the criteria specified in SANS
produce a denser, more homogenous microstructure
50197-1:2000 is tabulated below.
in the hardened cement paste and in the
aggregate:paste interfacial zones. Physical properties SANS 50197-1 CEM II A-M CEM II A-M CEM II A-M
requirement for (L) (V) (S)
Setting times class 42,5 N
Note that specialist advice should be sought before Initial minutes > 60 ±150 ±130 ±140
concreting in extremely aggressive environments.
Soundness, mm < 10 1 1 1
ISO Strength results
Early strength at
2 days, MPa ≥ 10 ±23 ±22 ±17

Standard strength at
≥ 42,5 ≤ 62,5 ±52 ±52 ±52
28 days, MPa
Chemical results
Sulphate (SO3) < 3,5 2,3 2,3 2,5
content, %

Chloride (CI-), % ≤ 0,1 ≤ 0,1 ≤ 0,1 ≤ 0,1

Typical concrete results achieved with a standard laboratory test at a constant
w:c of 0,67
3 days, MPa N/A ±20 ±18 ±16

7 days, MPa N/A ±23 ±23 ±23

28 days, MPa N/A ±39 ±37 ±37

Holcim Rapid Hard Cement
CEM I 52,5 N

Holcim Cement and Slagment

Features, applications and benefits Table 10: Performance
� High early-strength The typical performance of Holcim Rapid Hard
Holcim Rapid Hard Cement is milled to a carefully Cement in relation to the criteria specified in SANS
controlled fineness and contains a chloride-based 50197-1:2000 is tabulated below.
strength modifier to ensure greater rate of strength
gain. The larger surface area increases the rate of CEM I 52,5 N

hydration, resulting in higher early-strength Criterion

SANS 50197-1 requirement Typical performance
development. 19
Physical
2-day strength, MPa > 20 ≥ 32
This cement is ideal for the precast industry (faster 28-day strength, MPa ≥ 52,5 60
Initial setting time, minutes
demoulding), fast-track construction projects (earlier Soundness -
≥ 45 90

stripping of formwork) and for bridge launching with Le Chatelier Expansion, mm ≤ 10 <2

faster sliding rates. It can also be used for post- Chemical

Loss on ignition, %
tensioned or pre-stressed members. Sulphate (SO3) content, %
≤5
≤ 4,0
1,6
2,5
Chloride content, % ≤ 0,1 ≤ 0,1

� Cold-weather concreting
High early liberation of heat due to hydration can offset
the retardation effect of low temperatures. Where
durability is of paramount importance, Holcim Rapid
Hard Cement can be further blended with GGBS, fly ash
or silica fume.

See also Concreting in adverse temperatures, p104 and

Introduction to durability of concrete, p160.

Table 8: Physical characteristics

The following approximate values may vary slightly.

Physical characteristics

Relative density 3,1

Loose bulk density when fluidised 1 000 kg/m3
Loose bulk density after consolidation 1 400 kg/m3
Residue on 90 µm sieve 0,6%

Table 9: Typical chemical composition

The following approximate values may vary slightly.

Chemical compound
CEM I 52,5 N
(as a percentage by mass - LOI free basis)

Loss on ignition 1,6

Free lime 1,2

SiO2 22,0

AI2O3 4,1

Fe2O3 2,6

CaO 65,7

MgO 1,6

K2O 0,3

TiO2 0,3

Na2O 0,02

SO3 2,5

Mn2O3 0,1
 Holcim Slagment
Holcim Cement and Slagment

Holcim Slagment has ISO 9001:2000[1] accreditation, Physical characteristics

and is an associate member of SARMA. Products com- Table 11: Physical characteristics
ply with the requirements of SANS 1491-1:2005[3] and
bear the SABS mark. Physical characteristics

Relative density 2,89

GGBS or Slagment Loose bulk density
Compact bulk density
1 000 to 1 200 kg/m3
1 300 to 1 400 kg/m3
20 Minimum fineness (Blaine) 3 500 cm2/g
A latent hydraulic binder, this product is used as a Absorption Material is not hygroscopic
Minimum glass content 95%
concrete enhancer in the construction industry. Due pH 12,0

to its cementitious properties, ground granulated

blastfurnace slag (GGBS) partially replaces Portland
Chemical characteristics
GGBS is amorphous consisting of the oxides shown in
cement in concrete, enhancing quality in both fresh and
Table 12 with a complex mineralogical structure which
hardened states.
is dependent on blast furnaces, raw material and
process conditions.
GGBS is also used in soil stabilization, either with lime
and/or other cementitious material, or on its own.
Table 12: Typical chemical analysis

Conbex Constituent Vanderbijlpark Newcastle

Conbex is a binder used for backfill in the mining in-
SiO2 37 37
dustry. Conbex is normally used for cut and fill or room Al2O3 14 13
CaO 34 33
and pillar backfilling where high early strength gain is MgO 12 11
S 0,9 1,0
not required. FeO 0,5 0,9
MnO 1,0 0,9
P2O5 0,01 0,02
K2O 0,8 0,8
Fillcem
Fillcem is a binder designed for use with classified or Hydraulic reactivity
unclassified mine tailing in backfill systems in deep GGBS requires the presence of an activator, gener-
level mining. Fillcem can be used on its own or with ally Portland cement, to initiate the hydraulic process
Fillgell to produce rapid gelling and stiffening of back- and produce hydration products similar to pure Port-
fill slurry. land cement. Because of the shape of the hydration
products (foil-like compared to needle-like crystals of
Product availability cement hydration products) of GGBS, the density of the
Products are distributed from Holcim Slagment’s Van- cement paste is increased with concurrent benefits in
derbijlpark factory. GGBS is also available from Cimpor the concrete.
in Newcastle and PPC in Saldanha.

For specialist advice regarding mix designs and ■ GGBS is not classified as a harmful substance, but
structural properties, contact Holcim Slagment, see
Contacts, p193.
dust could be considered as a nuisance.
+
References

1. ISO 9001:2000, Quality management systems – Requirements, Pretoria: South African Bureau of
Standards, 2000.

2. SANS 50197-1:2000, Cement Part 1: Composition, specifications and conformity criteria for common
cements, Pretoria: South African Bureau of Standards, 1994.

3. SANS 1491-1:2005, Portland cement extenders Part 1: Ground granulated blast-furnace slag, Pretoria:
South African Bureau of Standards, 2005.