All of us know there are 33,43 & 53 grade of cement available in the market. Have you ever wondered why there are this many grades? How has it been graded?
What is meant by the grade of cement?
Grade of cement is nothing but the compressive strength of the cement mortar cube after 28 days of setting.
Grade of concrete greatly depends on the cement grade. It is essential to choose the right grade of cement for the required work. For instance, 33 Grade cement is only allowable up to M20 grade concrete.
How will cement be graded?
Cement will be mixed with water and sand at a specific ratio according to the IS codes guidance and made in a cube form of 70.6 mm. Then it will be tested for its average compressive strength just like concrete compressive strength at 3, 7 & 28 Days time interval
Strength of Cement | @ 3 Days | @ 7 Days | @ 28 Days |
33 Grade | 16 N/mm2 | 22 N/mm2 | 33 N/mm2 |
43 Grade | 23 N/mm2 | 33 N/mm2 | 43 N/mm2 |
53 Grade | 27 N/mm2 | 37 N/mm2 | 53 N/mm2 |
Why are there so many cement grades?
As the grade of cement increases, the fineness, strength, and cement cost will also increase.
We don’t need high-grade cement for low strength concrete. According to the usage and applications, cement has been graded as 33, 43 & 53. There are other sorts of cement grades are also available in the market such as Super Grade, PSC Grade.
Types of Cement Grades
In general construction, we use the below grades of cement
- 33 Grade – The cement achieves 33 N/mm2 compressive strength after 28 days of setting
- 43 Grade – The cement gains 43 N/mm2 compressive strength after 28 days of setting
- 53 Grade – The cement gains 53 N/mm2 compressive strength after 28 days of setting
Each one is distinct in its strengths and weaknesses.
Difference between 33, 43 and 53 Grade
DETAILS | 33 Grade of Cement | 43 Grade of Cement | 53 Grade of Cement |
Indian Standards | IS 269 | IS 8112 | IS 12269 |
Heat of Hydration | Lower | Lower | Higher |
Uses |
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Applications |
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Price | Cheaper | Moderate | Costly |
Happy Learning 🙂