What you need to know about cement?
Cement is an inorganic artificial substance with a viscous structure. Used for the manufacture of all kinds of concretes, as well as mortars. For realization it is packed in paper and polyethylene bags. The shelf life of cement varies depending on the conditions of its storage, but does not exceed 2 years.
By the presence of the basic mineral component are divided:
- portland cement, the most used form of this material, obtained by grinding gypsum and clinker, the basis are alite and belite( calcium silicates).It has various subspecies: fast-hardening, hydrophobic, plasticized, sulfate-resistant and others;
- Alumina cement is obtained by finely grinding a pre-baked alumina raw meal consisting essentially of limestone with a high aluminum content. It differs by the speed of setting, frost resistance, and also high fire resistance;
- Sorel( magnesia) cement is based on caustic magnesite and dolomite. The main feature is the watering of salt solutions. They have high strength, fast hardening, and excellent adhesion to wood. The drawbacks include low water resistance, as well as a sufficiently high corrosive activity. Usually used for flooring;
- mixed cements - building materials obtained by mixing the above types with mineral additives, air binders;
- acid-resistant cement, based on sodium hydrosilicate. To bring it into the ready state, it is closed with an aqueous solution of specialized liquid glass.
Enemies of cement when storing
For strength this material is divided into M100-M600 grades, indicating compressive strength from 100 to 600 kg / cm², respectively. To date, cement grade M300 and below is not produced. The M600 is called "military" and is used in the construction of military facilities.
It has long been known that prolonged storage of cement significantly reduces its activity. The main enemies of the stored material are moisture, as well as carbon dioxide, which is in the air. And the higher the activity of the building material is, the more intense its loss. The main danger, first of all, threatens bulk cement, and even acceptable conditions for storage of cement in sealed silos do not save from all troubles. Therefore, such a composition is desirable once a month "blow" from one container to another.
How to store cement - some practical advice
It often happens that due to the constant increase in prices for this material, the high cost of delivery, it is purchased for future use. And here in all its glory there is a question about how to store cement .Many hope for its "packing" in paper bags and leave in places not intended for this. And when the time of use comes, they discover with surprise the clinging stone.
To avoid this situation, even if you had to purchase this building material for future use, you should try to maximize the shelf life of cement by improvised means. Of course, no one will unpack the bags and pour this material out of the container into the container every month.
But to wrap all paper bags in polyethylene film is quite possible. And let it be a long and laborious process. But the very idea that in this way you keep your money, should warm and push the way of labor achievements.
Reasonable question, how much cement is stored , should have a logical conclusion and sound like this: how much and where is it stored? These two concepts are inseparable from each other. The shelf life of this material depends directly on the storage location.
First you need to understand that you can not store cement in wet and damp basements, in the open air and even under a canopy, becauseThere are no barriers to natural humidity. It is desirable to store cement in dry, tightly closed rooms, in bags pre-wrapped with polyethylene film. And even if the outer layer partially seizes, then in the middle of the bag there will be material suitable for use.