If you’ve been wondering “What is the difference between cement and concrete?” read on. Many people presume that cement and concrete are the same thing, yet cement is an ingredient of concrete in reality. Concrete is a mix of aggregates and paste, and the aggregates normally include sand, gravel or crushed stone, with the paste being formed from water and Portland cement. If you’re looking for concrete and concrete suppliers in Rotherham & Doncaster, help is available.
Cement is a bonding agent which is used in concrete. It’s important to acknowledge the difference between concrete and cement. Many people wrongly use these names interchangeably. Cement isn’t another word for concrete – it is a component of it that’s combined with water to form a paste to bind together the materials used to make concrete.
Concrete is a tough building material made from components like cement which is used for a host of purposes. It can be used to create buildings and pavements. As it is made from several materials, it is described as a composite product. Cement is the bonding agent that’s used to bind these materials together.
Cement tends to comprise between 10 – 15% of the concrete mix. During the hydration process, the cement and water harden. This causes the aggregates to be bound into a tough rocklike mass. The hardening process carries on for years, and this is why concrete only gets tougher with age.
Cement isn’t just used to make concrete. It is also frequently used in mortar for plastering purposes and grout for masonry. Cement is never used alone as it is a bonding agent used to bond various materials together.
Concrete is the world’s most commonly used manmade material. Virtually every construction project uses concrete due to its outstanding strength, dependability and durability. When it’s not being used to create buildings and pavements, it plays a pivotal role in creating drains, kerbs, bridges and more.
Cement is a mix of various materials which have been extracted from clay, limestone, marl, chalk, sand, iron ore, bauxite and shale. Materials taken from limestone make most cement.
Concrete consists of sand, cement and gravel or other fine aggregates. When construction professionals are ready to activate cement, they add water to it.
The materials used to make cement are crushed and heated to a temperature of approximately 1500°C. At this stage, the product is called ‘clinker’. It is then ground into a fine powder and packaged up so it can be activated with water when needed.
In order for concrete to be manufactured, aggregates, water and cement are blended together to create a mix which can be poured into a mould. Once water and cement are combined, a chemical reaction is generated. This is known as hydration. The concrete starts to harden once the hydration process is underway. The concrete needs to be added to the mould before it becomes too hard.
The curing process involves ensuring enough moisture, heat and time are available to make the hydration process a successful one. You shouldn’t stand on concrete for a few days once it has been poured. The curing process technically carries on forever, but concrete does get close to its maximum strength after around 28 days.
Who can help when I need concrete and concrete suppliers in Rotherham & Doncaster?At Doncaster and Rotherham Quickmix, we are always here for you when you’re looking for concrete and concrete suppliers in Rotherham & Doncaster. We have been a leading player in our field for many years and are able to serve you whether you’re a commercial or domestic customer. You can count on us to ensure your ready-mix concrete is delivered to you for whenever you require it. We are able to blend concrete to your exact requirements, no matter what you need it for.
Our highly experienced and professional team are here to provide you with high-quality concrete from our fully automated batching plant. In many cases, we can get your concrete out to you on the same day that you order it. Also, we are proud of our no-fuss solution and are always on hand to provide you with advice if you do need any help with ordering the right kind of concrete for your needs. What’s more is that our website is home to a handy concrete calculator that you can also use to get the right concrete for your specific requirements.
We have worked with a wide range of prestigious clients over the years, and these include highway agencies, local councils, general contractors and the public. Furthermore, you can depend on us to deliver competitively priced concrete that meets BS 8500 standards that offers outstanding longevity and durability. You can either opt for our delivery service and get your concrete delivered on time to your location or choose our collection service where you can let us know what you need and come to our site to pick it up. Now you know the answer to the question “what is the difference between cement and concrete?”, why not get in touch today?
Get in touch today if you’re looking for concrete and concrete suppliers in Rotherham & Doncaster. You can reach us today by giving us a call at 01302 972997 (Doncaster) or 01709 807977 (Rotherham). Alternatively, you can complete the form on our website. Why wait any longer to take action?
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