Differences Between Cement and Concrete

It is quite usual for many to use the term cement and concrete interchangeably. In fact the two are not the same. Concrete is a mixture of a few items, of which cement is an important constituent. The other usual constituents of concrete are aggregates and any type of cement plus water. Cement acts as a binding agent that keeps together all the elements of concrete. Aggregates are usually inert coarse materials like crushed stone, gravel and sand. The nature of aggregate selected varies with the application of the concrete. So, concrete and cement are not same. There are differences between cement and concrete which we will be discussed in this article.

Cement

Cement is a binding material that is made by grinding calcined limestone and clay into a very fine powder. It contains mostly calcium and silicon. Different combinations of the calcium silicate, calcium aluminate and calcium aluminoferrite determines the drying time and the color of the cement. Cement is the binding agent used in concrete. Cement is also used when making mortar.

Concrete

Concrete is cement mixed with rocks and sand. The rocks and sand form most of the mass and then the cement is the binding agent that holds the rocks in place. It is used in building construction as it is a harder, more durable substance. Concrete can be bought in a ready mix form at most hardware stores. For large construction projects, concrete will be trucked in and used as a continuous pour.

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