Pozzolanic Cement

Sustainable and High-Performance Cement Solutions

What is Pozzolanic Cement?

Definition

This type of cement consists of an intimate mixture of Portland cement and Pozzolana.

Composition Range (ASTM)

Maximum percentage of pozzolana: 15-40%

ASTM C618 Definition:

A siliceous or siliceous and aluminous material which chemically reacts with calcium hydroxide at ordinary temperature to form compounds possessing cementitious properties (CSH gel).

Chemical Reaction

Pozzolana + Ca(OH)₂ → CSH Gel
(Cementitious Properties)

Types of Pozzolana

Natural and industrial pozzolanic materials

Natural Pozzolana

Materials of volcanic or sedimentary origin

Volcanic Ash

Fine-grained volcanic glass formed from explosive eruptions

Pumice

Highly porous volcanic rock

Diatomaceous Earth

Sedimentary rock formed from fossilized algae

Industrial Pozzolana

By-products and manufactured materials

Fly Ash

Fine particles from coal combustion in power plants

Fired Clay

Calcined clay or metakaolin

Silica Fume

By-product of silicon and ferrosilicon alloy production

Rice Husk Ash

Agricultural waste product with high silica content

Properties and Uses

Similar to Portland Blast Furnace Cement

Lower Early Strength

Slower strength development initially, equals OPC at 2 months

Higher Workability

Better flow and easier to place than OPC

Lower Heat of Hydration

Ideal for mass concrete construction

High Sulfate Resistance

Excellent for aggressive environments

Applications

  • Mass concrete structures
  • Marine construction
  • Underground structures
  • Sewage and wastewater treatment plants
  • Hydraulic structures
  • Foundation in aggressive soil
  • Concrete dams
  • Long-term strength requirements

Specialty Portland Cements

White Portland Cement

Key Characteristic: Made from raw materials containing very little iron oxides (< 0.3% by mass of clinker) and magnesium oxides
Raw Materials:
  • China clay (white Kaoline)
  • Chalk limestone (free from impurities)
Properties:
  • Higher Firing Temperature:
    Uses sodium-aluminum instead of iron (iron is a flux material)
  • Similar Compounds:
    Similar to OPC except very low percentage of C₄AF
  • Strength:
    Usually somewhat lower than OPC
Note: Iron oxides give the gray color in OPC

Colored Portland Cement

Composition: Portland cement + special pigments (2-10% by weight)
Preparation Methods:
Light Colors

Pigments added to white Portland cement

Dark Colors

Pigments added to ordinary Portland cement

Pigment Requirements:
  • Insoluble and not affected by light
  • Chemically inert
  • Stable under alkaline conditions
Quality Standards:
  • 28-day compressive strength ≥ 90% of control mix
  • Water demand ≤ 110% of control mix

Controlled Expansion

Expansive Cement

Special Property

Has the property of expanding in its early life so as to reduce the contractions induced by drying shrinkage.

Benefits:
  • Compensates for drying shrinkage
  • Reduces crack formation
  • Improves bond with reinforcement
  • Creates self-stressing concrete
Applications:
  • Shrinkage-compensating concrete
  • Grout for post-tensioning ducts
  • Repair mortars
  • Self-stressing concrete members

Environmental & Economic Benefits

Sustainable

Utilizes industrial waste products and by-products, reducing environmental impact

Cost-Effective

Lower production costs by using waste materials and reduced energy consumption

Long-Term Performance

Superior durability and long-term strength development compared to OPC

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