Cement Grades: 33, 43, and 53 – Properties, Uses, and Differences

The cement grades indicate how much cement has a rolling resistance. The strength of the cement (Compressive strength) was generally measured after 28 days with adequate curing.

Proper curing is very important because curing controls the rate of hydration of the cement, so proper curing is very important to obtain the total compressive strength of the cement.

Ordinary Portland cement has 3 grades 33, 43, and 53. According to the Bureau of Indian Standard, these grades are differentiated by their compressive strengths and expressed in megapascals (Mpa), which is N / mm².

Compressive strength is a proportion of load per unit area. The load is calculated in newton (N), and the area is calculated in mm². The differences between 33, 43, and 53 grades cement are as follows:

Generally, three different types of cement are used, which are,

1. Grade-33 Cement.
2. Grade-43 Cement.
3. Grade-53 Cement.

What Is Grade 33 Cement?

Grade 33 Portland cement shows its high workability compared to other grades. In plaster and masonry mortars, grade 33 was commonly used.

Fineness = 300 kg/m²

Crush strength 3 days later = 16 N/mm² after  7 days later, force = 22 N/mm² after 28 days later, force = 33 N/mm²

What Is Grade 43 Cement?

Portland Grade 43 cement was generally used in the construction of reinforced concrete, also called R.C.C. Class 43 is also used in R.M.C, which is also called pre-mixed concrete and is also used in precast concrete for construction purposes.

The fineness will be = 225 kg/m²

Crush resistance 3 days later = 23 N/mm² after 7 days later, force = 33 N/mm² after 28 days later, force = 43 N/mm²

Grade 43 cement has a good ability to resist sulfate, and grade 43 has a low chloride content. Class 43 cement has a good working capacity, and, using this class, we obtain a good and smooth exit surface.

What Is Grade 53 Cement?

In grade 53, Portland cement, low chloride content was present, and grade 53 cement has a good ability to resist sulfate.

The amount of cement is required in a smaller volume because this grade has high strength as compared to other grades of Portland cement.

Grade 53 cement is mainly used in:

1. Construction of Bridges.
2. Construction of precast civil construction.
3. Construction of factories, construction of buildings, etc. (Strength required for buildings).
4. Construction of concrete sleeper (for railways).

The fineness of grade 53 will be = 225 kg/m² Crush resistance 3 days later = 27 N/mm² after 7 days, force = 37 N/mm²

After 28 days, force = 53 N/mm²

Grade 53 cement has high strength after 28 days after proper curing. Without proper healing, strength is not achieved properly.

Difference Between 33, 43 and 53 Grade Cement

1. Grade of Cement: IS Codes

1. For 33 grade IS 269 is used
2. For 43 grade IS 8112 is used
3. For 53 grade IS 12269 is used

2. Grade of Cement: Compressive strength

For calculating the compressive strength, sand and water from the cement are mixed, vibrated and cured, and cubes are made.

These cubes are tested in the laboratory at 27 ° C after 3 days, 7, and 28 days. The cement classification indicates the compressive strength of the concrete after 28 days of laying.

3. Grade of Cement: Initial strength

Here you can see that the initial strength of cement 53 is greater than 33grde or 43.

The strength of grade 53 does not increase much after 28 days due to the initial strength gain, while grade 33 and 43 cement continues to gain strength after 28 days. Over time, 33 and 43-grade cement will achieve the same maximum strength as 53-grade cement.

4. Grade of Cement: Heat of Hydration

During the initial setup, the 53-grade cement releases heat of hydration at a much faster rate compared to the 33 and 43 cement.

Therefore, the chances of microcracks are much greater; these micro-cracks may not be visible on the surface. Often, site supervisors or masons increase the amount of cement in the mix.

They think this will increase the strength and durability of the concrete. But it creates micro-cracks in the concrete.

Therefore, grade 53 cement should only be used where such applications justify the manufacture of concrete with greater strength, where there are good supervision and quality assurance measures and where appropriate precautions are taken to reduce the greatest heat of hydration through an appropriate healing process.

The 43-grade cement releases medium heat of hydration. The 33-grade cement releases low heat of hydration.

5. Price of Grade Cement 

1. The price of 33-grade cement is lower than 43-grade cement.
2. The 43-grade cement price is higher than 33 but lower than 53.
3. The price of cement 53 is higher than 33 and 43.

6. Uses of Cement Grade

Currently, 33-grade cement is rarely used. As most manufacturers have adopted PPC. 33-grade cement is commonly used to manufacture low strength concrete, as below M20 concrete.

43-grade cement is used in PCC and RCC works, preferably where the concrete grade is up to M30. It is also recommended for plastering, tiles, masonry and stone masonry, flooring, path, etc., where the initial days are strong, and not of primary importance.

It is also used to finish all types of buildings, bridges, culverts, roads, water retention structures, etc.

Grade 53 OPC cement is recommended in all RCC structures, such as feet, columns, beams, and slabs, where initial and final strength is the main structural requirement. Can also be used for RCC jobs where the concrete grade is M30 and above

Building – Activity,

1. A precast concrete item, such as paving blocks, tiles, building blocks, pipes, sleepers, masts, etc.
2. Work in prestressed concrete, such as bridges, silos, etc.
3. Track, concrete roads, bridges.
4. Concreting for cold weather, cement grout, instant clogging, etc.

Every type of cement is suitable for a different set of tasks. Each of them has a variable level of resistance, the use of incorrect resistance levels for a specific job can affect your overall structural design.

FAQs on Cement Grades: 33, 43, and 53

What do the numbers 33, 43, and 53 signify in cement grades?

The numbers 33, 43, and 53 indicate the compressive strength of the cement in megapascals (MPa) after 28 days of curing. For example, 33-grade cement achieves a compressive strength of 33 MPa.

How is the compressive strength of cement measured?

Compressive strength is measured by mixing sand and water with the cement, creating cubes, and testing these cubes in a laboratory after 3, 7, and 28 days.

What are the typical uses for 33-grade cement?

33-grade cement is commonly used in plaster and masonry mortars due to its high workability and is suitable for low-strength concrete applications.

Why is 43-grade cement preferred for R.C.C. and R.M.C. construction?

43-grade cement is preferred for Reinforced Cement Concrete (R.C.C.) and Ready Mix Concrete (R.M.C.) because it offers good strength and workability, making it ideal for precast concrete and general construction purposes.

In what applications is 53-grade cement used?

53-grade cement is used in the construction of bridges, precast civil structures, factories, buildings requiring high strength, and concrete sleepers for railways due to its high early strength and durability.

How does the fineness of cement grades compare?

The fineness of 33-grade cement is 300 kg/m², while both 43 and 53-grade cements have a fineness of 225 kg/m².

What are the compressive strengths for 33-grade, 43-grade, and 53-grade cement after 3, 7, and 28 days?

1. 33-grade cement: 16 N/mm² (3 days), 22 N/mm² (7 days), 33 N/mm² (28 days).
2. 43-grade cement: 23 N/mm² (3 days), 33 N/mm² (7 days), 43 N/mm² (28 days).
3. 53-grade cement: 27 N/mm² (3 days), 37 N/mm² (7 days), 53 N/mm² (28 days).

Why is proper curing essential for achieving compressive strength?

Proper curing controls the rate of hydration of the cement, ensuring that the cement achieves its full compressive strength over time.

How does the heat of hydration vary among the cement grades?

53-grade cement releases heat of hydration at a faster rate, which can cause micro-cracks if not properly managed. 43-grade cement releases a medium heat of hydration, while 33-grade cement releases the least heat of hydration.

What are the price differences among the cement grades?

33-grade cement is the cheapest, followed by 43-grade cement, with 53-grade cement being the most expensive due to its higher strength and performance characteristics.

Why is 33-grade cement rarely used today?

33-grade cement is less commonly used because manufacturers have largely adopted Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC), which provides better performance for most applications requiring low-strength concrete.

What are the IS codes used for different cement grades?

1. IS 269 is used for 33-grade cement.
2. IS 8112 is used for 43-grade cement.
3. IS 12269 is used for 53-grade cement.

What are the primary considerations when choosing a cement grade for a project?

The choice of cement grade depends on the required strength, workability, heat of hydration, and specific application requirements of the construction project.