Even those people who are not particularly versed in the construction industry probably know that it is impossible to create a modern structure without the use of cement. Specialists in this field can tell more - about its types and brands, which have quite different quality characteristics and cost, unusual shades of this material, for example, white cement, are of particular interest.
It has found its application in the manufacture of high quality artificial stone. The material is an indispensable basis for the creation of both colored and white concrete, high-quality dry adhesive mixtures. It is used to make decorative moldings for decorating rooms, stairs, borders, columns.
Besides its original color, white cement is a substance that has good weather resistance, frost resistance, sulphate resistance, and a high degree of strength. Of the main disadvantages inherent in it, it should be noted the low speedhardening, lower corrosion resistance than gray cement, increased shrinkage rates.
Production process
The quality and decorative properties of this building material are largely determined by the special technologies of its manufacture. Raw materials in such production can be limestone and kaolin, which have a minimum capacity of manganese and iron oxide, which give a gray color to ordinary cement. To prevent possible contamination, the clinker is fired in furnaces running on petroleum products; the use of gravel instead of conventional metal balls helps to eliminate contamination of the clinker during grinding. As you can see, white cement, the price of which is somewhat higher than that of its gray counterparts, has a more complex and expensive manufacturing technology.
Scope of application
White cement is used as a basis for the production of white and colored concrete, and in order to achieve the highest quality of the colored material, clinker is crushed together with a coloring pigment at the stage of cement production.
The high aesthetic characteristics of the material allow not to subject the surfaces made from it to finishing, but if desired, they can be roughened or mirror smooth. Interesting in appearance, terrazzo material, surprisingly similar to natural stone, is obtained by adding marble chips to concrete. Brick walls look original, during the laying of which white mortar orhaving an unusual beautiful shade.
The high reflectivity of white cement surfaces is essential. This property of the material is readily used by builders in the construction of tunnels and roads in order to increase traffic safety at night.
Because white cement is a somewhat unusual material, care should be taken to ensure that machines and tools that will come into contact with it are clean and free of rust before purchasing. The water that will be used to prepare the solution must also be clean. Steel reinforcement should be pre-coated with a layer of gray concrete before work.
For those who are going to use white cement, you can clarify that it is produced under two brands: M500 and M400, the degree of whiteness of the material determines its grade (there are 3 grades). White cement is produced in Russia, Turkey, super-white material of the highest quality is supplied by Denmark.
