Comprehensive Guide to Types of Cement Used in India

23 Types of cement that are available and used in India.

1. Ordinary Portland Cement 33 Grade
2. Ordinary Portland Cement 43 Grade
3. Ordinary Portland Cement 53 Grade
4. Portland Slag Cement
5. Portland Pozzolana Cement
6. Coloured Cement/White Cement
7. Sulphate Resisting Cement
8. Low Heat Portland Cement
9. Rapid Hardening Cement
10. Hydrophobic Portland Cement
11. Extra Rapid Hardening Cement
12. Quick Setting Cement
13. Super Sulphated Cement
14. Portland Pozzolana Cement (Fly ash based)
15. Portland Pozzolana Cement (Calcined based)
16. Air Entraining Cement
17. Masonry Cement
18. Expansive Cement
19. Oil Well Cement
20. Rediset Cement
21. Concrete Sleeper Grade Cement
22. High Alumina Cement
23. Very High Strength Cement

1. Ordinary Portland Cement 33 Grade

Application/Use:

1. Used up to M20 Grade of Concrete
2. Used in Plastering, Flooring, masonry.

Features: Low Compressive Strength Low Heat of Hydration leads to lesser cracks

Reference Indian Standard: IS:269

Remarks: The availability of higher grades of OPC in the market impacts the usage of 33 grade OPC as these days, 43/53 grade OPC is normally used for general construction work. Availability in the market is low.

2. Ordinary Portland Cement 43 Grade

Application/Use:

1. Widely used in concrete grades up to M-30, precast elements.
2. Used for Plastering, Flooring, etc.,

Features: 43 Grade cement attains minimum compression strength of 43 mpa (Mega pascals) at 28 days.

Reference Indian Standard:  IS:8112

Remarks: Easily available in the market and largely used in the construction industry.

3. Ordinary Portland Cement 53 Grade

Application/Use:

1. Widely used general-purpose cement
2. For concrete grade higher than M-30, PSC works, bridge, roads, multi-storied buildings et

Features: 53 Grade cement attains minimum compression strength of 53 mpa (Mega-pascals) at 28 days.

Reference Indian Standard: IS:12269

Remarks: Easily available in the market and largely used in the construction industry.

4. Portland Slag Cement

Application/Use: 

1. Exposed to harsh environments, such as wastewater treatment and marine applications
2. High-strength concrete, such as high-rise structures or 100-year service life bridges

Features: It works synergistically with portland cement to increase strength, reduce permeability, improve resistance to chemical attack, and inhibit rebar corrosion.

Reference Indian Standard: IS:455

Remarks: Available in the selected market place

5. Portland Pozzolana Cement

Application/Use:

1. Hydraulic structures like dams, & retaining walls
2. Marine structures
3. Mass concrete works- like bridge footings under aggressive conditions
4. Masonry mortar and plastering

Features: 

1. The Portland Pozzolana Cement makes concrete more impermeable and denser as compared to Ordinary Portland Cement.
2. The long-term strength (90 days and above) of Pozzolana cement is better compared to OPC.

Reference Indian Standard: IS:1489 P-2

Remarks: Easily available in the market.

6.Coloured Cement/White Cement

Application/Use:

It is used for architectural beauty, interior and exterior decorations such as terrazzo tiles and floorings, ornamental concrete products such as idols

Features: 

1. As the name indicates, it is white in color.
2. Chemical composition and physical properties meet the specification of ordinary portland cement.

Reference Indian Standard: IS:8042

Remarks: Easily available but expensive than OPC.

7. Sulphate Resisting Cement

Application/Use:

The use of Sulphate Resisting Portland Cement is recommended in places where the concrete is in contact with the soil, ground-water, exposed to the seacoast, and seawater

Features:

This Cement will get into premature hydration if kept in a wet place

Reference Indian Standard: IS:12330

Remarks: Cement is usually not available in the market on a regular basis and expensive than OPC.

8. Low Heat Portland Cement

Application/Use:

Suited for making concrete for dams and water retaining structures, bridge abutments, massive retaining walls, piers, and slabs, etc.

Features:

Evolves less heat than OPC Avoids shrinkage cracks

Reference Indian Standard: IS:12600

Remarks: Cement is usually not available in the market on a regular basis and can be obtained on specific orders.

9. Rapid Hardening Cement

Application/Use: 

1. Used in Repairs
2. Used where the speed of construction is required

Features:

1. It’s setting time is less than ordinary portland cement
2. It acquires early strength.

Reference Indian Standard: IS:8041

Remarks: Cement is usually not available in the market on, regular basis and expensive than OPC.

10. Hydrophobic Portland Cement

Application/Use: 

1. These cement are used in the construction of dams, spillways, under-water constructions.
2. It can also be used in cold weather conditions.

Features:  In the initial stage, the setting of hydrophobic cement is slow because of the admixtures in cement, But the strength after 28 days when compared to that of ordinary cement is the same.

Reference Indian Standard: IS:8043

Remarks: Cement is usually not available in the market on a regular basis and expensive than OPC.

11. Extra Rapid Hardening Cement

Application/Use: 

1. It is used where formwork has to be removed as early as possible in order to reuse it.
2. It is used where high early strength is required.
3. It is generally used for constructing road pavements, where it is important to open the road to traffic quickly.

Features: The one-day strength of this cement is equal to the three-day strength of OPC with the same water-cement ratio.

Reference Indian Standard: –

Remarks: Cement is usually not available in the market on a regular basis and expensive than OPC.

12. Quick Setting Cement

Application/Use:

1. It is used in under-water construction.
2. It is also used in rainy & cold weather conditions.
3. Where quick strength is needed in a short span of time

Features: 

1. This product has the unique characteristic of being able to be sculpted and molded as it sets.
2. The set time for this product is 10-15 minutes.

Reference Indian Standard:

Remarks: Cement is usually not available in the market on a regular basis and expensive than OPC.

13. Super Sulphated Cement

Application/Use: 

1. The foundations where the chemically aggressive condition exists
2. Used In marine works
3. RCC pipes used in sulfate bearing soils.

Features:

1. The heat of hydration is very lower
2. It is resistant to sulfate attack

Reference Indian Standard: IS:6909

Remarks: 

14. Portland Pozzolana Cement (Fly ash based)

Application/Use: 

1. Used in Plastering, Flooring, grouting of cable ducts in PSC works, etc.
2. Usually, a place where low compressive strength concrete can use.

Features: Fly ash based blended cement has the properties as which required for the cement to be called blended cement.

Reference Indian Standard: IS:1489 P-1

Remarks: Cement is usually not available in the market on a regular basis and can be obtained on specific orders.

15. Portland Pozzolana Cement (Calcined based)

Application/Use:  

1. Used in Plastering, Flooring, grouting of cable ducts in PSC works, etc.
2. Usually, a place where low compressive strength concrete can use.

Features: Calcined based blended cement has the properties as which required for the cement to be called blended cement.

Reference Indian Standard: IS:1489 P-2

Remarks: Cement is usually not available in the market on a regular basis and can be obtained on specific orders.

16. Air Entraining Cement

Application/Use: It is used for lining walls and roofs for heat and sound insulation purposes.

Features: 

1. It forms microscopic air bubbles during the mixture.
2. It decreases the strength of concrete.

Reference Indian Standard:

Remarks: Cement is usually not available in the market on a regular basis, and it is very expensive.

17. Masonry Cement

Application/Use: The masonry mortar is often used in brick, concrete block, and stone masonry construction, also used to produce stone plaster.

Features: It creates better bonding between bricks or concrete blocks.

Reference Indian Standard: IS:3466

Remarks: Cement is usually not available in the market on a regular basis and can be obtained on specific orders.

18. Expansive Cement

Application/Use: 

1. Grouting anchor bolts.
2. Grouting machine foundation

Features: Shrinkage of cement occurs after mixing.

Reference Indian Standard: 

Remarks: Cement is usually not available in the market on a regular basis and can be obtained on specific orders.

19. Oil Well Cement

Application/Use: Oil-well cement is used for cementing work in the drilling of oil wells where they are subject to high temperatures and pressures.

Features: There is no chemical effect that occurs on cement due to oils in an oil well.

Reference Indian Standard: IS:8229

Remarks: Cement is usually not available in the market on a regular basis and expensive than OPC.

20. Rediset Cement

Application/Use: 

1. Very high- Early strength concrete and mortar
2. Emergency Repairs.
3. Construction between tides.
4. Palletisation of Iron ore dust.

Features:

1. The sulfate resistance of the cement is poor.
2. The rate of shrinkage is fast, but the total shrinkage is similar to that of ordinary PCC.

Reference Indian Standard:

Remarks: Cement is usually not available in the market on a regular basis and can be obtained on specific orders.

21. Concrete Sleeper Grade Cement

Application/Use: In prestressed concrete railway sleepers

Features: It provides good tensile strength to concrete.

Reference Indian Standard: IRS-R 40

Remarks: Cement is usually not available in the market on a regular basis and can be obtained on specific orders. and usually used in railways for sleeper manufacture

22. High Alumina Cement

Application/Use: It is used in cold water and under sea-water.

Features: It develops 80% ultimate strength in 24 hours.

Reference Indian Standard: IS:6452

Remarks: Cement is usually not available in the market on a regular basis and expensive than OPC.

23. Very High Strength Cement

Application/Use: It is used to construct important buildings and infrastructure.

Features: It has high compressive strength than ordinary portland cement.

Reference Indian Standard: 

Remarks: Cement is usually not available in the market on a regular basis and expensive than OPC.

FAQs about Types of Cement Used in India

What are the different grades of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) available in India?

There are three main grades of OPC used in India: 33 Grade, 43 Grade, and 53 Grade. Each grade corresponds to a minimum compressive strength attained by the cement at 28 days.

What are the key applications of Portland Slag Cement?

Portland Slag Cement (PSC) is primarily used in high-strength concrete applications such as high-rise structures and bridges due to its ability to improve strength, reduce permeability, and resist chemical attacks.

When should one opt for Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC)?

PPC is recommended for hydraulic structures like dams, marine constructions, and in situations where aggressive conditions are expected, due to its ability to enhance impermeability and long-term strength compared to OPC.

What are the unique features of White Cement/Coloured Cement?

White Cement is used for decorative purposes due to its white color and meets the same physical and chemical standards as Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), albeit at a higher cost.

Which types of cement are suitable for special conditions like underwater construction or in aggressive soil environments?

Hydrophobic Cement, Quick Setting Cement, and Super Sulphated Cement are suitable for underwater construction, rainy conditions, and areas exposed to aggressive soil conditions due to their specific properties like quick setting and resistance to sulfate attack.

What applications are Masonry Cement and Air Entraining Cement used for?

Masonry Cement is used in mortar for brick and block masonry to improve bonding, while Air Entraining Cement is used for heat and sound insulation in buildings by forming microscopic air bubbles.

When is High Alumina Cement preferred over Ordinary Portland Cement?

High Alumina Cement is preferred in conditions involving cold water or under-sea water due to its rapid strength development and high resistance to chemical attack.

How are blended cements like Portland Pozzolana Cement (Fly ash based) different from ordinary cement?

Blended cements like PPC (Fly ash based) and PPC (Calcined based) incorporate supplementary materials such as fly ash or calcined clay, which enhance specific properties of the cement, such as durability and reduced carbon footprint.

What are the specific uses of Rapid Hardening Cement and Extra Rapid Hardening Cement?

Rapid Hardening Cement and Extra Rapid Hardening Cement are used in applications where quick construction turnaround is necessary, such as repairs, road pavements, and where early formwork removal is required.

Why are some types of cement not readily available in the market?

Certain types of cement, such as Low Heat Portland Cement, Super Sulphated Cement, and others designed for specialized applications, may not be regularly stocked due to lower demand or specific ordering requirements.