The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) specifies five varieties of Portland cement. Physically and chemically, these cements differ primarily in the use of Tricalcium aluminate (C3A) and in how fine the consistency is in the mix. Determining the performance of your project is primarily based on site preparation, rate of hydration, aggregate in the mix, and the ability to resist sulfate attack. The table below displays concrete specifications. It is always best to review with our technical team the proper preparation for your project and how to specify the correct mix of materials.
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|
Classification |
Characteristics |
Applications |
|
Type I |
General purpose |
Fairly high C3S content for good early strength development |
General construction (most buildings, bridges, pavements, precast units, etc) |
|
Type II |
Moderate sulfate resistance |
Low C3A content (<> |
Structures exposed to soil or water containing sulfate ions |
|
Type III |
High early strength |
Ground more finely, may have slightly more C3S |
Rapid construction, cold weather concreting |
|
Type IV |
Low heat of hydration (slow reacting) |
Low content of C3S (<50%) and=""> |
Massive structures such as dams. Now rare. |
|
Type V |
High sulfate resistance |
Very low C3A content (<> |
Structures exposed to high levels of sulfate ions |
|
White |
White color |
No C4AF, low MgO |
Decorative (otherwise has properties similar to Type I) |
The differences between these cement types are rather subtle. All five types contain about 75 wt% calcium silicate minerals, and the properties of mature concretes made with all five are quite similar. Thus, these five types are often described by the term “Ordinary Portland Cement” or OPC.
The best thing to do is ask in advance about your project or let us direct you to a qualified contractor that will be capable in handling the design and construction of your project. The wrong mix, temperatures and site preparation can lead to a disaster that could range from being unsightly to dangerous.
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