What is Portland Cement?
Considered to be the most common type of cement in use today, Portland cement is utilized for all sorts of building projects. The cement is used as an ingredient in materials used for sidewalks, buildings and as a binder between other substances, such as stone or brick. The basic formula for Portland cement appears to have originated in the late 18th century and was first identified by that name in the early 19th century.
The name for the dry cement product is derived from the similarity of the finished product to Portland stone. This type of building product was quarried in England in the early 19th century. Using methods that were somewhat like the procedure for making Roman cement, Joseph Aspdin was awarded a patent in 1822 for creating the cement. The original formula called for the use of cement clinker, and a small amount of other ingredients. The stability of the product made the cement ideal for use in the creation of mortar and other binding materials.
Aspdin’s son William later enhanced the formula for Portland cement. After moving to Germany in 1843, the younger Aspdin continued to refine the product, which led to the adoption of the cement in many building projects around the country. By 1878, the use of Portland cement in Germany was so common that the government saw fit to issue a standard on the product.
Today, the core ingredients for Portland cement include cement clinker with a small amount of calcium sulfate. Other random ingredients are sometimes introduced as well. Concrete is the most common building material that is created using Portland cement, but the mixture is also commonly used in the creation of stucco and mortar. There are also certain types of grout that are created using Portland cement as an ingredient. In some instances, the Portland cement is purchased in dry form and mixed with other ingredients at the building site to produce the desired building material. At other times, Portland cement is included in ready-mixed products that require nothing more than the addition of water to create the building element.
Written by Malcolm Tatum
