Cement, Concrete, & Mortar: Main Differences
In any construction project, three materials are always present. Whether used together or separately, cement, concrete, and mortar form part of the material list for any construction. Yet, aren’t they all the same?
The answer is no. Even though cement, concrete, and mortar have a similar purpose, there are big differences between their properties, formulas, and expected results. In this blog, we’ve explored the main differences between these popular construction materials to help you with your next project.
Cement
Cement is a powdery type of binding material that’s used in concrete and mortar. It’s made from a combination of limestone, clay, shells, and silica sand. These materials are heated until they form a clinker and ground into a fine powder.
How Is Cement Made?
The first step in the cement-making process is obtaining the raw materials. As mentioned, cement is made from a combination of limestone, clay, shells, and silica sand. These raw materials are then crushed and ground into a fine powder.
The next step is to heat this powder in a kiln at temperatures up to 1450°C. As the materials are heated, they form a substance called clinker. Once the clinker has cooled, it’s ground into an even finer powder and mixed with gypsum. This final mixture is cement.
Concrete
Concrete is a construction material made from cement, water, gravel, and sand. It has a soupy consistency when it’s first mixed but then hardens as it dries.
How Is Concrete Made?
The first step in the concrete-making process is to mix the cement with water. The proportion of water to cement will determine the strength and durability of the concrete. Once the cement and water have been mixed, gravel and sand are added to create a concrete mix. The proportions of these ingredients will also affect the strength and durability of the finished product.
Mortar
Mortar is a construction material made from cement, water, lime, and sand. It has a pasty consistency when it’s first mixed and is used to bind together bricks, blocks, and other masonry materials.
How Is Mortar Made?
Mortar is made similarly to concrete by mixing cement with water. The difference is that mortar also contains lime and sand. The proportion of these ingredients will determine the strength and flexibility of the finished product. Lime is added to mortar to make it more flexible, while sand is added for extra strength.
Buy Your Concrete Mix At One Place: Fix & Feed Hardware Store
Now that you know more about these popular construction materials, you’ll be able to decide which one is best for the next home improvement project. If you want to buy a concrete mix, head to Fix & Feed Hardware Store. We’ve got 10 lbs and 50lbs concrete mix bags at amazing prices that won’t break your budget.
Find everything you need for any construction project, all in one place. Our expert staff is always on hand to answer any questions you might have. We’ve 4 stores around Texas! Make sure to visit the nearest one.