Portland Cement Types
In the construction industry, there are different types of cement, and each of them has
its own advantages.
TYPE I – GENERAL USE CEMENT
Portland cement type 1 or general purpose is the most used of all cements and is
suitable for all uses where special properties of other types are not required, with an
average rate of heat evolution and strength development. It is used where cement or
concrete are not subject to specific exposures, such as sulfate attack from soil or water,
or an objectionable temperature increase due to the heat generated by hydration. Its
uses include sidewalks and pavements, reinforced concrete buildings, bridges, railway
structures, tanks, deposits, sewers, water pipes and masonry units.
TYPE II – RESISTANT TO MODERATE SULFATE ACTION
Portland cement is used when it is important to take precautions against moderate
sulfate attack, such as in drainage structures where sulfate concentrations in
groundwater are higher than normal but not unusually severe. Type II cement will
generally generate less heat at a slower rate than Type I. With this moderate heat of
hydration (an optional requirement), Type II cement can be used in large-mass
structures, such as large piers, heavy pillars and retaining wall. Its use will reduce the
temperature rise, especially important when the concrete is placed in a warm climate.
TYPE III – HIGH EARLY STRENGTH
The fast-hardening Portland cement is similar in chemical composition to ordinary
cement, but physically differs in the finest grinding during manufacturing. Although it is
not “fast setting” and concretes made with it remain viable for similar periods of time,
the greater specific surface area provided by the finer particle size increases the rate of
early hydration, which provides higher early resistances that are important in concrete
work where the economy requires the early removal of formwork or the rapid change of
precast concrete units in a mold. In cold weather, its use allows a reduction in the
controlled curing period. Although richer mixtures of Type I cement can be used to
obtain high early strength, Portland Type III cement, high-early-strength, can provide it
more satisfactorily and economically.
TYPE IA, IIA, IIIA – AIR-ENTRAINING PORTLAND CEMENTS
The specifications for the three types of Portland cement for air incorporation (Types IA,
IIA and IIIA) are given in ASTM C150. They correspond in composition with ASTM Types I,
II and III, respectively, except that a small amount of air-entraining the materials are
interspersed with the clinker during manufacture, well distributed and completely
separate air bubbles. These types of cement produce concrete with improved resistance
to freezing and thawing.
TYPE IV – LOW HEAT OF HYDRATION
Type IV is a low heat hydration cement for use where the speed and amount of heat
generated must be minimized. It develops strength at a slower rate than type I cement.
Portland cement type IV is designed for use in massive concrete, structures such as
large gravity dams, where the temperature rise resulting from the heat generated
during curing represents a critical factor.
TYPE V – HIGH RESISTANCE TO SULFATE
Type V is a sulfate-resistant cement that is used only in concrete exposed to a severe
sulfate action, mainly where soils or groundwater have a high sulfate content. Table 1
describes the sulfate concentrations that require the use of Type V Portland cement. A
low content of tricalcium aluminate (C3A), generally 5 % or less, is required when high
sulfate resistance is required.
WHITE PORTLAND CEMENT
White Portland cement is widely used for visual effects in white or colored concrete that
should be left exposed, and also in white or colored mortars for masonry and rendering.
It has the same properties as type I, but it is manufactured from special raw materials
that are substantially free of color-forming compounds, such as iron oxides, which give
other cements their characteristic gray or gray-brown color.
MASONRY CEMENT
Masonry cement is produced from the common Portland cement clinker with additives
incorporated during grinding. Mortars made only with Portland cement and common
sand lack the cohesiveness required for the placement or cutting of masonry. The
additives incorporated during the grinding of the masonry cement increase the
cohesion of the mixed mortar, increase water retention and limit the development of
resistance in the mixture. Masonry cement is not suitable for making concrete.
Attack in particular by soil and water that contain
various concentrations of sulfate
Table 1
* Or the approved portland-pozzolan cement provides comparable sulfate resistance
when used in concrete.
** The pozzolan that has been determined by tests to improve sulfate resistance should
be approved when used in concrete with type V cement.
