|
Cement is heavily relied upon to produce mortar, grouts, and concrete, and cement clinkers are the first stage, post firing, in making cement. Cement has strong bonding qualities when mixed with gypsum and water to form a hydration reaction, and it forms approximately one tenth of concrete, mixed with rocks, sand, and other materials and used in building construction all over the world. Concrete's high versatility makes it an ideal tool for building projects of all shapes and sizes, from skyscrapers to pool sides. Concrete can also be recycled when it has outlived its usefulness and converted back into cement clinkers through careful processing.
The most commonly used cement in the world is Portland cement, which is formed at high temperatures that chemically combine the ingredients into new components, including calcium silicates and calcium aluminates. When the cement clinkers are ground with approximately 5% gypsum, they form Portland cement. These compounds allow cement to set when combined with water and to form strong bonds that can withstand pressure, water immersion, and other elements.
|
