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Chemical and Physical Characteristics of US Hydraulic Cements: 2014

Technical Report · June 2016

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 PCA R&D SN3284

Chemical and Physical Characteristics

of US Hydraulic Cements: 2014

by Paul D. Tennis

©Portland Cement Association 2016

All rights reserved
KEYWORDS
AASHTO M 85, AASHTO M 240, ASTM C91, ASTM C150, ASTM C595, ASTM C1157,
ASTM C1328, ASTM C1329, blended cement, chemical characteristics, compressive strength,
fineness, hydraulic cement, masonry cement, mortar cement, stucco cement, performance,
physical characteristics, plastic cement, portland cement, setting time, loss on ignition, insoluble
residue, oxide analysis, phase composition, chloride content

ABSTRACT

This report summarizes responses to a survey on chemical and physical characteristics of

hydraulic cements produced in the US. In the survey yearly average data for cements produced in
2014 was requested for cements manufactured under ASTM C150/AASHTO M 85 (portland
cements), ASTM C595/AASHTO M 240 (blended hydraulic cements), ASTM C1157 (hydraulic
cements), ASTM C91 (masonry cements), ASTM C1328 (plastic (stucco) cements), and ASTM
C1329 (mortar cements). The properties of interest include those required to meet the chemical
and physical requirements of the respective ASTM/AASHTO specifications.
Survey forms were distributed to 95 cement plants operating in the US and 68 plants
responded–a return rate of about 72%, with data on 251 cements. Data for 134 ASTM
C150/AASHTO M 85 portland cements was provided, and Type II cement is the most common
portland cement type produced. For ASTM C91 masonry cements, data for a total of 66 cements
were reported. Data was received for 28 blended cements produced under ASTM
C595/AASHTO M 240 and 11 cements produced under C1157.
Survey results indicate that blended and ASTM C1157 cements have similar performance
to portland cements in strength development and setting times.

REFERENCE
Tennis, Paul D., Chemical and Physical Characteristics of US Cements: 2014, R&D SN3284,
Portland Cement Association, Skokie, Illinois, USA, 2016, 32 pages.
www.cement.org/pdf_files/SN3284.pdf.

Errata Corrections
June 2016: Corrected values in Tables 19 and 20.
June 2018: Corrected values in Table 2 for potassium oxide content.

i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Keywords ......................................................................................................................................... i
Abstract ............................................................................................................................................ i
Reference ......................................................................................................................................... i
List of Tables ................................................................................................................................. iii
List of Figures ................................................................................................................................ iv
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1
Overview ..................................................................................................................................... 1
Historical Surveys ....................................................................................................................... 1
Methodology of Survey .............................................................................................................. 2
Survey Response ............................................................................................................................. 2
Portland Cements (ASTM C150/AASHTO M 85) ..................................................................... 3
Masonry Cements (ASTM C91) ................................................................................................. 3
Blended Cements (ASTM C595/AASHTO M 240) ................................................................... 3
Hydraulic Cements (ASTM C1157) ........................................................................................... 4
Plastic (Stucco) Cements (ASTM C1328) .................................................................................. 4
Mortar Cements (ASTM C1329) ................................................................................................ 4
Survey Topical Questions ............................................................................................................... 4
Characteristics of Portland Cements (ASTM C150/AASHTO M 85) ........................................... 4
Chemical and Phase Composition .............................................................................................. 4
Physical Properties ...................................................................................................................... 8
Characteristics of Blended Cements (ASTM C595/AASHTO M 240) ....................................... 12
Constituent Content and Chemical Characteristics................................................................... 12
Physical Properties .................................................................................................................... 14
Characteristics of ASTM C1157 Hydraulic Cements................................................................... 17
Physical Properties .................................................................................................................... 17
Comparison of Hydraulic Cements for General Concrete Construction ...................................... 18
Physical Properties .................................................................................................................... 18
Characteristics of Masonry Cements (ASTM C91) ..................................................................... 22
Physical Properties .................................................................................................................... 22
Characteristics of Plastic (Stucco) (ASTM C1328) and Mortar Cements (ASTM C1329) ......... 24
Conclusions ................................................................................................................................... 26
Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................... 26
References ..................................................................................................................................... 26

ii
LIST OF TABLES
Page
Table 1. Cement Types Produced in the US, as Reported in the 2014 Survey. .......................... 2
Table 2. Oxide Composition and other Chemical Characteristics of US Portland Cements
Reported for 2014 ......................................................................................................... 5
Table 3. Estimated (Bogue) Phase Composition of Portland Cements Reported for 2014 ........ 6
Table 4. Equivalent Alkali (Na2Oeq) Content of Portland Cements Reported for 2014. ........... 7
Table 5. Tricalcium Aluminate Content of Type III Portland Cements Reported for 2014. ...... 7
Table 6. Use of Limestone in Portland Cements Reported for 2014. ......................................... 7
Table 7. Sulfate Contents of Portland Cements Reported for 2014. ........................................... 8
Table 8. Miscellaneous Chemical Characteristics ...................................................................... 8
Table 9. Select Physical Properties of Portland Cements Reported for 2014. ............................ 9
Table 10. Strength, Setting Time, and Fineness of Portland Cements Reported for 2014. ........ 10
Table 11. Nominal Amount of Constituents in Blended Cements Reported for 2014 ............... 12
Table 12. Select Chemical Characteristics Blended Cements Reported for 2014 ...................... 13
Table 13. Additional Characteristics Reported for Limestone used in Type IL cements. .......... 13
Table 14. Compressive Strength and Setting Time of Blended Cements Reported for 2014..... 14
Table 15. Other Physical Characteristics of Blended Cements Reported for 2014. ................... 15
Table 16. Compressive Strength and Setting Time of ASTM C1157 Type GU Hydraulic
Cements Reported for 2014. ....................................................................................... 17
Table 17. Other Physical Characteristics of ASTM C1157 Type GU Hydraulic Cements
Reported for 2014. ...................................................................................................... 18
Table 18. Physical Data for ASTM C91 Masonry Cements Reported for 2014. ....................... 23
Table 19. Physical Data for ASTM C1328 Plastic (Stucco) Cements reported for Cements
Reported for 2014. ..................................................................................................... 25
Table 20. Physical Data for ASTM C1329 Mortar Cements reported for Cements Reported for
2014............................................................................................................................. 25

iii
LIST OF FIGURES
Page
Figure 1. ASTM C109 compressive strengths of portland cements as reported for 2014. .......... 11
Figure 2. ASTM C109 compressive strengths for blended cements as reported for 2014. ......... 16
Figure 3. ASTM C109 compressive strengths for ASTM C1157 Type GU cements as reported
for 2014. ....................................................................................................................... 18
Figure 4. Mean ASTM C191 setting times (Vicat method) for hydraulic cements reported for
2014. ............................................................................................................................. 19
Figure 5. Mean ASTM C204 Blaine finenesses of hydraulic cements for general concrete
construction. ................................................................................................................. 20
Figure 6. Mean ASTM C109 compressive strengths of hydraulic cements for general concrete
construction as reported for cements produced in 2014. .............................................. 21
Figure 7. Mean ASTM C109 mortar cube compressive strengths for hydraulic cements for
general concrete construction as reported for cements in 2014. .................................. 21
Figure 8. Strength development of ASTM C91 masonry cements as reported for 2014. ........... 22
Figure 9. Gillmore setting times for ASTM C91 masonry cements as reported for 2014........... 23

iv
Chemical and Physical Characteristics of
US Cements: 2014
by Paul D. Tennis *

INTRODUCTION

Overview
A survey was conducted in 2015 by the Portland Cement Association’s Product Standards and
Technology (PS&T) Committee to compile information on physical and chemical characteristics
of cements commercially manufactured in the US in 2014, focusing on those characteristics
referenced in specifications. In the survey, cement company staff were asked to provide chemical
and physical properties of cements that were produced in 2014 including mean data for the year
for each type of cement, as well as high and low values for the year, standard deviation, and
number of analyses. This report focuses on mean values of those characteristics.

Historical Surveys

Data summarized here represents properties of cements produced in 2014. Other compilations of
US cement properties have been developed by various authors and, although they have used
different methodologies, those data are probably relatively representative of cement produced in
those the time periods. Clifton and Mathey (1971) reported results of chemical and physical
analyses by the National Bureau of Standards on 193 portland cements produced in the 1950s.
Gebhardt (1995) collected data from a variety of sources for portland cements produced in 1994
for ASTM Committee C01 (see also PCA 1996 for a summary). The Portland Cement
Association (PCA) also collected mill test report data in 1998 (Tennis 1999). In 2004, PCA also
surveyed US and Canadian plants, requesting yearly average data (Bhatty and Tennis 2008), and
included blended cements and masonry cements.
Although quantities of cements produced in each cement type are not part of this survey,
the US Geological Survey (USGS) does provide summary data on volumes of cements produced
by type (for example, van Oss, 2015), and has historical data available for many years. Data for
2014 were not available for the publication of this report; however in 2013, Type I and II cements
were estimated at 61,000,000 metric tons, Type III cements at 2,670,000 metric tons, and Type V
at 11,100,000 metric tons. Blended cements appear to be classified into Type IP (748,000 metric
tons) and Type IS (519,000 metric tons), although those values appear to include C1157 cements
in the totals. Data for Type IL and Type IT were not collected by USGS in 2013. Masonry
cements (including mortar and plastic (stucco) cements) accounted for 2,127,000 metric tons in
2013 (van Oss 2015).

*
Director, Product Standards and Technology, Portland Cement Association, 5420 Old Orchard Road, Skokie, IL,
60077-1083 USA, [email protected], www.cement.org.
Methodology of Survey
Survey forms were sent via email on May 7, 2015, to PCA Product Standards and Technology
Committee members as well as staff contacts (typically managers or chemists) at each cement
plant. Yearly average chemical and physical data representing cements manufactured in 2014
under ASTM C150/AASHTO M 85 (portland cements), ASTM C595/AASHTO M 240 (blended
hydraulic cements), and ASTM C1157 (hydraulic cements), ASTM C91 (masonry cements),
ASTM C1328 (plastic (stucco) cements), and ASTM C1329 (mortar cements) were included. In
addition, data for some optional tests that are not commonly reported was requested, if such data
was readily available. Electronic data forms were distributed as Microsoft® Excel files or
Microsoft® Word files, but all data was submitted using the Excel format. Data was collected by
email and compiled and checked for data entry discrepancies and outliers and where problems
were thought to exist, plants were contacted to verify or correct the data.

SURVEY RESPONSE
Of the 95 plants contacted, 68 responded for a response rate of 72%. Twenty two companies are
represented in the survey. A summary of the 251 cements produced at those plants is given in
Table 1.

Table 1. Cement Types Produced in the US, as Reported in the 2014 Survey.
ASTM C150/AASHTO M 85a Totala
Type I Type II Type III Type V
12b 56c 47d 19e 134
ASTM C91
Type N Type S Type M
28 29 9f 66
ASTM C595/AASHTO M 240a
Type IL Type IP IS(<70)
12 8 8 28
a
ASTM C1157
Type GU Type HE
10 1 11
ASTM C1328
Type S Type M
4 4 8
ASTM C1329
Type N Type S Type M
1 1 2 4
a No data were received for Types IV, IS(>70), IT, MS, HS, MH, or LH. Total reflects survey data received,
which represent about 72% of cement plants in the US.
b Includes 1 white Type I cement and 1 Type IA cement, which are excluded from other tables of this report.
c Includes 37 cements marketed as Type I/II, 10 as Type II, 8 as Type I/II(MH), and 1 as Type II(MH). Four of

the Type I/II cements and one of the Type II cements are marketed as LA (low-alkali).
d Includes 3 cements marketed as Type III LA.
e Includes 12 cements marketed as Type II/V, 6 as Type V, and 1 as Type I/II/V.
f Includes 2 cements marketed as a Type S/M.

2
Portland Cements (ASTM C150/AASHTO M 85)
The 68 plants that responded to the survey produce 134 portland cements. Included in this total
are Types I (general use), II (moderate sulfate resistance), II(MH) (moderate sulfate resistance
and moderate heat of hydration), III (high early strength), and V (high sulfate resistance). No data
on any Type IV (low heat of hydration) cements was received; Type IV cements have not been
commonly produced for a number of years.
In the total for Type II category are 37 cements, about two-thirds, marketed as Type I/II,
indicating that those products meet requirements of both Type I and Type II. Only ten cements
were marketed as Type II, and of those, 9 also meet requirements for Type I.
Nine cements are marketed as Type II(MH) (moderate heat of hydration and moderate
sulfate resistance) and for consistency with previous surveys these cements are summarized with
Type II cements, representing about 16% of this category. Of those nine Type II(MH) cements,
eight are marketed at Type I/II(MH).
Four Type I/II cements are also marketed as Type I/II LA, indicating that the cements
have low-alkali contents. This LA suffix does not a formal designation in ASTM C150 or
AASHTO M 85, although low-alkali cements are defined in the specifications as having a
maximum equivalent alkali content ( %Na2O +0.658%K2O) of 0.60% by mass. The Type III
cements likewise include three marketed as Type III LA.
Of the 19 Type V cements, 11 (about 58%) are sold as Type II/V (indicating that they
meet requirements for both Type II and Type V) and one as Type I/II/V (additionally meeting
requirements for Type I).
Table 1 indicates that Type II cement, produced at 56 of the 68 plants responding, is the
most common type produced in the US. The Type I/II designation is used by more than half the
plants responding to the survey.

Masonry Cements (ASTM C91)

A little more than half (51%) of the cement plants responding to the survey reported producing
masonry cements: 35 plants provided data on 66 masonry cements. Type N and Type S cements
are most common, at 28 (80%) and 29 (83%) of those plants, respectively, while only nine plants
(26%) reported producing Type M cements.

Blended Cements (ASTM C595/AASHTO M 240)

Blended cements are less commonly available in US cement plants: Only 22 plants reported
producing blended cements. Produced by 12 plants, portland-limestone cements, Type IL, are the
most common, followed by eight portland-pozzolan cements, Type IP, and eight portland blast-
furnace slag cements, Type IS. Data was not received for any ternary blended cements, Type IT.
Type IL cements have only been defined in US specifications since August 2012, which
appears to indicate relatively rapid acceptance for this new cement type.
ASTM C595 and AASHTO M 240 include options to designate cements as having special
properties: A for air-entraining; MS and HS for moderate and high sulfate resistance,
respectively; MH and LH for moderate and low heat of hydration respectively, and R for resistant
to alkali-silica reactivity. Only one plant indicated that the blended cement it produces met
requirements for a special designation: a Type IP meeting HS requirements.

3
 Since the 2004 North American cement characteristics survey, blended cement
designations in ASTM C595 and AASHTO M 240 have changed. Pozzolan-modified portland
cement, Type I(PM), and slag-modified portland, Type I(SM), are no longer defined in ASTM
C595 or AASHTO M 240. Those cements would now be included as Type IP and Type IS,
respectively, with nomenclature that includes the nominal pozzolan or slag cement content in
parentheses.

Hydraulic Cements (ASTM C1157)

Ten survey responses were received for hydraulic cement Type GU and one for Type HE.

Plastic (Stucco) Cements (ASTM C1328)

Data was provided for 8 plastic cements; these included 4 Type S and 4 Type M cements.

Mortar Cements (ASTM C1329)

Of the 4 responses received in the ASTM C1329 mortar cement category, 1 each was Type N and
Type S, and 2 were Type M cements.

SURVEY TOPICAL QUESTIONS

In addition to collecting data on cement characteristics, a few questions related to standards

development activities were included in the survey. Option R in ASTM C595 (AASHTO M 240)
and ASTM C1157 is a requirement related to alkali-silica reactivity (ASR) resistance of a cement.
Of the 29 plants that produced C595/M 240 or C1157 cements, only 1 reported that the material
met Option R and no plants indicated requests from customers to meet that option. A possible
explanation for this lack of use of Option R requirements in practice is that reactive aggregates
are typically tested with a range of SCMs to determine whether expansion to ASR would be
mitigated.

CHARACTERISTICS OF PORTLAND CEMENTS

(ASTM C150/AASHTO M 85)

Chemical and Phase Composition

Chemical composition (as oxide analyses) and other chemical characteristics, such as loss on
ignition, insoluble residue, free lime, and chloride content, are summarized in Table 2. Mean
values are reported for each portland cement type, along with the standard deviation (SD) of
those means, the maximum and minimum mean values reported, and the number of cements for
which those values were reported (n). Mean Bogue phase composition, as determined using
methods in ASTM C150/AASHTO M 85 are provided in Table 3.

4
 Table 2. Oxide Composition and other Chemical Characteristics of US Portland Cements Reported for 2014, % by mass.
Loss Acid-
Cement Insoluble Free
* Statistic SiO2 Al2O3 Fe2O3 CaO MgO SO3 on Na2O K2O Na2Oeq Mn2O3 TiO2 P2O5 soluble
type residue lime
ignition chloride
Mean 19.81 5.13 2.50 63.27 2.32 3.33 2.15 0.44 0.18 0.67 0.62 0.07 0.28 0.22 1.03 0.020
SD 0.70 0.42 0.72 1.22 0.80 0.60 0.35 0.13 0.08 0.34 0.28 0.02 0.04 0.11 0.57 0.016
Maximum 20.60 5.67 3.61 64.60 3.04 4.07 2.68 0.64 0.31 1.20 1.04 0.08 0.33 0.40 2.11 0.037
Type I Minimum 18.83 4.42 1.28 60.74 0.80 2.51 1.45 0.24 0.09 0.10 0.26 0.05 0.22 0.10 0.36 0.005
n 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 3 9 6 9 3
Spec limit — — — — ≤6.0 ≤3.0/≤3.5** ≤3.0 ≤0.75 — — ≤0.60 ***
— — — — —
Mean 20.10 4.59 3.39 63.59 1.95 3.05 2.18 0.34 0.17 0.57 0.55 0.18 0.25 0.15 1.01 0.014
SD 0.49 0.38 0.42 0.98 0.99 0.29 0.37 0.12 0.07 0.22 0.15 0.22 0.05 0.09 0.39 0.013
Maximum 21.70 5.43 4.46 65.31 4.40 3.81 2.75 0.65 0.34 1.14 1.03 0.96 0.38 0.52 1.84 0.050
Type II Minimum 18.90 2.80 2.45 60.86 0.70 2.48 1.00 0.17 0.04 0.07 0.20 0.03 0.19 0.05 0.18 0.003
n 56 56 56 56 56 56 56 53 56 56 56 23 34 32 56 20
Spec limit — ≤6.0 ≤6.0 — ≤6.0 ≤3.0** ≤3.0 ≤0.75 — — ≤0.60*** — — — — —

Mean 20.05 4.71 3.06 63.32 2.12 3.56 1.83 0.31 0.16 0.60 0.56 0.13 0.26 0.17 1.07 0.014
SD 0.60 0.51 0.62 1.05 1.03 0.49 0.54 0.14 0.07 0.24 0.19 0.16 0.05 0.11 0.41 0.011
Maximum 21.24 6.17 3.92 65.17 4.48 5.20 2.77 0.67 0.32 1.21 1.04 0.66 0.37 0.51 2.21 0.045
Type III Minimum 18.68 3.73 1.20 60.62 0.71 2.82 0.89 0.09 0.04 0.25 0.29 0.03 0.14 0.06 0.18 0.003
n 47 47 47 47 47 47 47 44 47 47 47 14 31 27 46 12
Spec limit — — — — ≤6.0 ≤3.5/≤4.5** ≤3.0 ≤0.75 — — ≤0.60*** — — — — —

Mean 20.83 3.99 3.83 63.74 2.24 2.63 1.76 0.36 0.15 0.47 0.45 0.11 0.21 0.12 1.09 0.008
SD 0.53 0.23 0.42 0.61 0.97 0.39 0.61 0.13 0.06 0.13 0.08 0.06 0.03 0.08 0.31 0.007
Maximum 21.98 4.44 5.03 64.56 4.47 3.40 2.73 0.58 0.24 0.71 0.57 0.23 0.26 0.37 1.60 0.019
Type V Minimum 19.71 3.51 3.11 62.75 1.14 2.08 0.57 0.10 0.04 0.26 0.29 0.05 0.15 0.06 0.57 0.002
n 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 7 13 12 17 5
Spec limit — — — — ≤6.0 ≤2.3** ≤3.0 ≤0.75 — — ≤0.60*** — — — — —
Key: SD=Standard deviation; n= number of values; ”Spec limit” is specification limit in ASTM C150-12/AASHTO M 85-12; — = no limit.
* See Table 1 for groupings of cement types. Type I data excludes 1 white Type I cement and 1 Type IA cement.
** These default limits can be exceeded if C1038 data demonstrate that 14-day expansions do not exceed 0.020%. See the specifications for complete details. See

also Table 7.
*** Optional limit.

5
 Table 3. Estimated (Bogue) Phase Composition of Portland Cements
Reported for 2014, % by mass.
Cement type* Statistic C3S C2S C3A C4AF
Mean 57.5 13.0 9.3 7.6
SD 3.58 2.44 1.41 2.19
Maximum 62 16 11 11
I
Minimum 49 9 7 4
n 10 10 10 10
Spec limit — — — —

Mean 59.1 12.7 6.4 10.3

SD 3.98 3.01 1.30 1.26
Maximum 68 20 8 13
II
Minimum 51 7 0 7
n 56 55 56 56
Spec limit — — ≤8 —

Mean 58.0 13.6 7.3 9.2

SD 3.66 2.58 2.04 2.05
Maximum 66 20 14 12
III
Minimum 49 7 4 4
n 47 47 47 47
Spec limit — — ≤15 —

Mean 59.2 14.6 4.1 11.6

SD 2.81 3.68 0.66 1.30
Maximum 63 22 5 15
V
Minimum 52 8 2 9
n 19 19 19 19
Spec limit — — ≤5 —
Key: SD=Standard deviation; n= number of values; ”Spec limit” is specification
limit in ASTM C150-12/AASHTO M 85-12; — = no limit.
* See Table 1 for groupings of cement types. Type I data excludes 1 white Type I

cement and 1 Type IA cement.

A summary of the range of mean alkali contents (equivalent alkalies) of the portland cements
surveyed is shown in Table 4. In ASTM C150 and AASHTO M 85, cements with alkali contents
of 0.60% or below are defined as low-alkali. Overall almost 80% of portland cements in the
survey have low alkali contents. Again, it not clear that the optional low-alkali requirement is
routinely specified for these materials: some raw materials may produce cements with low-alkali
contents without special operations during manufacturing. Low-alkali content cements have
historically been used to mitigate deleterious expansion with some alkali-silica reactive
aggregates, although it is now understood that the alkali loading of the concrete is an important
parameter (for example, ASTM C1778 or Farny and Kerkhoff, 2007). Use of supplementary
cementitious materials (SCM) is probably the most common means of mitigating deleterious
expansion due to ASR.

6
 Table 4. Equivalent Alkali (Na2Oeq)* Content of Portland Cements
Reported for 2014.
Cement ≤ 0.60, > 0.60, Percent
type** % by mass % by mass low alkali
I 7 3 70%
II 46 13 78%
III 37 10 79%
V 19 0 100%
Total 109 26 79%
*Per ASTM C150/AASHTO M 85: %Na2Oeq = %Na2O + 0.658 %K2O.
**See Table 1 for cement type groupings.
.

Table 2 of ASTM C150/AASHTO M 85 provides optional requirements for Type III cements for
C3A content, as an indicator of sulfate resistance. Table 5 lists the number of cements in the
survey meeting those requirements, although these may not be due to requirements by purchasers.

Table 5. Tricalcium Aluminate Content of Type III Portland Cements

Reported for 2014.
C3A content range Number Percentage
Less than or equal to 5% 5 10.6%
More than 5% and
31 66.0%
less than or equal to 8%
More than 8% 11 23.4%

In 2004, ASTM C150 (and in 2007 AASHTO M 85) was revised to permit up to 5% limestone as
an ingredient in portland cements. The use of limestone provides improved environmental
characteristics with comparable performance. Data reported in the survey indicate that a majority
of portland cements (about 66% overall) include limestone as an ingredient, although the
percentage varies by cement type (see Table 6). For those cements including limestone as an
ingredient, the average limestone content was 3.1% by mass, with a range of 1.2% and 4.5%.

Table 6. Use of Limestone in Portland Cements Reported for 2014.

Cement type* Number of plants Percentage
I 6 60%
II 50 89%
III 21 44%
V 12 63%
Note: Average limestone content was 3.1% for those cements including
limestone as an ingredient.
*See Table 1 for cement type groupings.

Inorganic processing additions (IPA) are permitted ingredients in portland cements, but only five
cements in the survey included IPA as an ingredient. All were Type II cements. The mean
amount of IPA used in those cements was 3.1% by mass, with a range of 2.1% to 4.0%.

7
 Default limits on sulfate content are included in portland cement specifications ASTM
C150 and AASHTO M 85. However, it is recognized that cement or concrete properties can
sometimes be improved by exceeding those limits, and provisions to exceed the default limits are
included in the specifications: the cement, when tested via ASTM C1038, shall not exceed
expansion of 0.020% at 14 days. Table 7 summarizes data on sulfate contents above or below the
default table limits in C150/M 85.

Table 7. Sulfate Contents of Portland Cements Reported for 2014.

Number Mean ASTM C1038
Default
Cement expansion at 14 days,
C3A content maximum SO3 Below Above default
type* for cements exceeding
content limit** default limit limit
table SO3 limit %
8% or less 3.0 1 1 --
I
More than 8% 3.5 4 4 0.008
II All 3.0 29 27 0.006
8% or less 3.5 24 12 0.006
III
More than 8% 4.5 9 2 0.008
V All 2.3 6 13 0.008
*See Table 1 for cement Type groupings.
**See ASTM C150/AASHTO M 85 for complete details.

Two other requirement in ASTM C150 and AASHTO M 85 are the sum of C3S and 4.75 times
the C3A content for Type II(MH) cements (the so-called “heat index,” and a maximum 25% limit
on the sum of the C4AF content and twice the C3A content for Type V cements. Table 8 provides
simple statistics on those characteristics based on the survey.

Table 8. Miscellaneous Chemical Characteristics, % by mass.

Cement type and
Statistic Value
limit
Mean 85.8
SD 8.99
Type II(MH) Maximum 95
C3S+4.75 C3A Minimum 63
n 9
Spec limit ≤100
Mean 19.8
SD 1.20
Type V Maximum 22
C4AF + 2 C3A Minimum 17
n 19
Spec limit ≤25
Key: SD=Standard deviation; n= number of values; ”Spec limit” is specification
limit in ASTM C150/AASHTO M 85; — = no limit.

Physical Properties
Table 9 shows data on several physical properties, including autoclave expansion (ASTM C151),
air content (ASTM C185), normal consistency (ASTM C187), paste early stiffening (ASTM
C451), and mortar expansion (ASTM C1038). Table 10 shows summary statistics for various

8
physical properties listed in ASTM C150/AASHTO M 85, including the mortar cube
compressive strengths (ASTM C109), Vicat setting times (ASTM C191), and fineness values by
air permeability (Blaine, ASTM C204) and No. 325 (45-µm) sieve (ASTM C430). As with
Tables 2 and 3, mean values are reported for each portland cement type, along with the standard
deviation (SD) of those means, the maximum and minimum mean values, and the number of
cements for which those values were reported (n).
The mean and range of mean values of ASTM C109 mortar cube compressive strengths
reported in the 2014 survey are shown in Fig. 1. As expected, Type III cements have the highest
strength development over the first 28 days. Type I and II have comparable strength
development. Type V cements lag slightly behind Type I and II on average at 1 day, but have
comparable strengths by 28 days.

Table 9. Select Physical Properties of Portland Cements Reported for 2014.

Autoclave Air content Normal Early Mortar
Cement type* Statistic expansion, of mortar, consistency, stiffening, expansion,
% % % % %
Mean 0.075 6.8 26.6 66.0 0.032
SD 0.075 0.9 1.3 20.5 0.060
Maximum 0.220 8.1 29.6 88.5 0.140
I Minimum 0.001 5.0 24.5 28.2 0.003
n 10 10 10 6 5
Spec limit ≤0.80 ≤12 — Optional, ≥50 ≤0.020**
Mean 0.026 7.2 25.7 78.5 0.008
SD 0.047 1.1 1.0 7.0 0.013
Maximum 0.180 9.2 27.7 89.9 0.080
II Minimum -0.040 5.0 21.6 63.0 -0.001
n 55 55 56 39 35
Spec limit ≤0.80 ≤12 — Optional, ≥50 ≤0.020**
Mean 0.028 7.1 28.6 70.5 0.007
SD 0.054 1.1 1.6 8.8 0.003
Maximum 0.170 9.4 32.5 89.2 0.013
III Minimum -0.050 4.0 25.5 52.0 0.002
n 45 46 46 31 22
Spec limit ≤0.80 ≤12 — Optional, ≥50 ≤0.020**
Mean 0.030 6.8 25.4 84.1 0.008
SD 0.053 1.0 1.3 6.4 0.003
Maximum 0.178 8.8 28.0 91.5 0.013
V Minimum -0.050 5.4 21.8 71.0 0.001
n 19 19 17 14 12
Spec limit ≤0.80 ≤12 — Optional, ≥50 ≤0.020**
Key: SD=Standard deviation; n= number of values; — = no limit; “Spec limit” is the specification limit in ASTM
C150/AASHTO M 85.
*See Table 1 for groupings of cement types.
**Mortar expansion limit only apply if sulfate content exceeds default table limits.

9
Table 10. Strength, Setting Time, and Fineness of Portland Cements Reported for 2014.
Setting time Fineness
Compressive strength, MPa (psi)
(Vicat), minutes Fineness 45-µm
Cement
Statistic (Blaine), (No. 325)
type*
1 day 3 days 7 days 28 days Initial Final m2/kg sieve,
% passing
Mean 16.0 (2320) 27.1 (3930) 34.0 (4930) 42.3 (6140) 121 229 397 95.1
SD 3.23 (469) 2.08 (301) 2.10 (304) 3.29 (477) 21.6 23.9 20.4 2.2
Maximum 20.6 (2980) 30.4 (4410) 38.3 (5560) 47.8 (6940) 163 252 440 97.9
I Minimum 11.7 (1700) 24.3 (3520) 31.1 (4500) 37.2 (5390) 90 190 375 91.2
n 9 10 10 10 10 7 10 10
Spec limit — ≥12.0 (1740) ≥19.0 (2760) — ≥45, ≤375 — ≥260 —
Mean 16.1 (2330) 26.8 (3890) 33.3 (4830) 42.7 (6200) 116 223 393 96.4
SD 2.35 (341) 2.86 (415) 2.90 (420) 2.93 (425) 30.1 37.5 24.2 2.5
Maximum 20.2 (2930) 31.8 (4610) 38.0 (5510) 48.6 (7050) 270 381 471 99.9
II Minimum 5.5 (800) 12.9 (1870) 19.7 (2850) 33.9 (4910) 74 178 305 85.7
n 53 56 56 56 56 53 56 55
Spec limit — ≥10.0 (1450) ≥17.0 (2470) — ≥45, ≤375 — ≥260 —
Mean 24.8 (3600) 34.9 (5060) 41.0 (5950) 48.8 (7080) 87 178 561 99.0
SD 3.04 (441) 2.81 (408) 3.00 (436) 3.37 (488) 20.0 33.0 60.0 1.0
Maximum 30.9 (4480) 40.9 (5930) 47.5 (6890) 54.1 (7850) 126 245 723 99.9
III Minimum 16.4 (2380) 26.7 (3870) 32.8 (4760) 41.0 (5950) 49 115 365 95.1
n 45 46 45 45 46 39 45 45
Spec limit ≥12.0 (1740) ≥24.0 (3480) — — ≥45, ≤375 — — —
Mean 14.3 (2080) 25.3 (3670) 32.0 (4640) 42.7 (6190) 126 224 401 95.9
SD 3.24 (470) 4.68 (678) 4.95 (718) 4.32 (626) 30.7 37.2 54.1 5.0
Maximum 21.9 (3180) 33.4 (4850) 39.6 (5750) 47.9 (6950) 176 280 551 99.8
V Minimum 8.6 (1250) 15.9 (2310) 21.6 (3140) 32.1 (4660) 70 161 302 81.0
n 19 19 19 19 19 16 19 19
Spec limit — ≥8.0 (1160) ≥15.0 (2180) ≥21.0 (3050) ≥45, ≤375 — ≥260 —
Key: SD=Standard deviation; n= number of values; ”Spec limit” is specification limit in ASTM C150/AASHTO M 85; — = no limit.
*See Table 1 for groupings of cement types.

10
 60
60
Type I 8000
Type II 8000
Compressive strength (C109), MPa

Compressive strength (C109), MPa

50
50

40 6000 6000
40

psi
30

psi
4000 30
4000

20 20
2000 2000
10 10

0 0 0 0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Time, days Time, days
60 60
Type III 8000 Type V 8000
Compressive strength (C109), MPa

Compressive strength (C109), MPa

50 50

40 6000 40 6000
psi

psi
30 30
4000 4000

20 20

2000 2000
10 10

0 0 0 0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Time, days Time, days
Figure 1. ASTM C109 compressive strengths of portland cements as reported for 2014. Mean values are connected by dashed lines and shaded
areas represent ranges of values reported in the survey.

11
CHARACTERISTICS OF BLENDED CEMENTS
(ASTM C595/AASHTO M 240)

Constituent Content and Chemical Characteristics

ASTM C595 and AASHTO M 240 include naming conventions that identify the nominal amount
of limestone, slag cement or pozzolan in the cement. Mean values for cements produced in 2014
according to the survey are: limestone content of Type IL cements, about 11%; pozzolan content
of Type IP cements, about 24%; and slag cement content of Type IS cements, about 30%.
Table 11 provides summary statistics.

Table 11. Nominal Amount of Constituents in Blended Cements Reported

for 2014, % by mass.
Constituent/ Content,
Statistic
Cement type % by mass
Mean 11.1
SD 1.70
Limestone/ Maximum 14
Type IL Minimum 10
n 11
Spec limit >5 and ≤15
Mean 23.5
SD 7.64
Pozzolan/ Maximum 32
Type IP Minimum 9
n 6
Spec limit ≤40
Mean 30.3
SD 8.98
Slag cement/ Maximum 40
Type IS Minimum 20
n 6
Spec limit <70; ≤95
Key: SD = Standard deviation; n = number of values; “Spec limit” = specification limit in
ASTM C595/AASHTO M 240.

Table 12 shows chemical characteristics of ASTM C595/AASHTO M 240 blended cements

reported for 2014. Data on mean, standard deviation, maximum, minimum, and number of
cements represented are reported on the following cement properties (ASTM C114): MgO
content, SO3 content, and loss on ignition (LOI) and insoluble residue (IR).

12
 Table 12. Select Chemical Characteristics Blended Cements Reported for
2014, % by mass.
Cement Loss on Insoluble
Statistic MgO SO3*
type ignition residue
Mean 2.08 3.16 5.40 0.55
SD 0.88 0.42 0.79 0.32
Maximum 3.44 3.60 7.20 1.29
IL
Minimum 0.84 2.09 4.28 0.16
n 12 12 12 9
Spec limit — ≤3.0* ≤10.0 —
Mean 1.90 3.08 1.81 —
SD 0.71 0.44 0.42 —
Maximum 2.60 3.53 2.59 —
IP
Minimum 0.83 2.40 1.40 —
n 8 8 8 —
Spec limit ≤6.0 ≤4.0* ≤5.0 —
Mean 3.98 3.08 1.59 0.38
SD 0.96 0.43 0.60 0.15
Maximum 5.30 3.78 2.40 0.63
IS
Minimum 2.31 2.39 0.69 0.22
n 8 8 8 8
Spec limit — ≤3.0* ≤3.0 ≤1.0
Key: SD = Standard deviation; n= number of values; — = not enough data reported or no
limit; “Spec limit” = specification limit in ASTM C595/AASHTO M 240.
*Table limit for SO3 content may be exceeded if C1038 expansion does not exceed 0.020%
at 14 days. See ASTM C595/AASHTO M 240 for complete details.

Limestone used as an ingredient in portland-limestone cements in 2014 was required to meet

requirements for calcium oxide (CaO) content (minimum of 70% by mass), methylene blue index
(maximum of 1.2g/100g) and total organic carbon content (maximum of 0.5% by mass). Table 13
provides values reported limestones used for Type IL cements produced in 2014.

Table 13. Additional Characteristics Reported for Limestone used in

Type IL cements.
Total organic Methylene blue
CaCO3 content
carbon content, index,
% by mass
% by mass g/100 g
Mean 89.5 0.17 0.38
SD 7.20 0.12 0.19
Maximum 95.7 0.40 0.80
Minimum 72.0 0.02 0.17
n 11 9 9
Spec limit ≥70 ≤0.50 ≤1.2
Key: SD = Standard deviation; n= number of values; “Spec limit” = specification limit in
ASTM C595-12/AASHTO M 240-12.

13
Physical Properties
Tables 14 and 15 provide physical data of ASTM C595/AASHTO M 240 blended cements
received in the 2014 survey. The data on mean, standard deviation, maximum, minimum and
number of cements represented are reported on the following cement properties:

• Compressive strength (ASTM C109)

• Setting time (Vicat, ASTM C191)
• Fineness (Blaine, ASTM C204, and No. 325 sieve, ASTM C430)
• Air content (ASTM C185)
• Autoclave expansion (ASTM C151), and
• Mortar expansion (ASTM C1038).

Figure 2 provides plots of mean C109 compressive strength data for the three blended
cements at 3, 7 and 28 days, as well as the range of values received at those ages. These
figures are plotted at the same scale as Fig. 1to facilitate comparison. In broad terms, these
cements show comparable strength development to Type I portland cements.

Table 14. Compressive Strength and Setting Time of Blended Cements Reported
for 2014.
Compressive strength, Setting time (Vicat),
Cement
Statistic MPa (psi) minutes
type
3 days 7 days 28 days Initial Final
Mean 28.9 (4190) 34.8 (5050) 42.9 (6230) 117 218
SD 2.88 (418) 3.43 (498) 3.85 (559) 19.3 30.3
Maximum 31.7 (4600) 38.2 (5550) 47.8 (6930) 150 269
IL
Minimum 21.4 (3110) 26.2 (3800) 33.8 (4900) 80 178
n 12 12 12 12 11
Spec limit ≥13.0 (1890) ≥20.0 (2900) ≥25.0 (3620) ≥45, ≤420 —
Mean 25.1 (3640) 31.4 (4560) 45.1 (6550) 135 251
SD 3.66 (531) 4.12 (597) 5.21 (756) 35.7 39.0
Maximum 29.7 (4310) 37.9 (5500) 54.6 (7920) 205 311
IP
Minimum 19.0 (2760) 24.5 (3550) 37.8 (5480) 87 196
n 8 8 8 8 8
Spec limit ≥13.0 (1890) ≥20.0 (2900) ≥25.0 (3620) ≥45, ≤420 —
Mean 22.2 (3220) 31.1 (4520) 45.9 (6660) 132 223
SD 2.88 (418) 2.69 (390) 4.11 (596) 30.7 71.5
Maximum 28.6 (4140) 35.6 (5160) 51.0 (7400) 191 280
IS
Minimum 19.7 (2850) 27.5 (3990) 37.7 (5470) 90 143
n 8 8 8 8 3
Spec limit ≥13.0 (1890) ≥20.0 (2900) ≥25.0 (3620) ≥45, ≤420 —
Key: SD = Standard deviation; n= number of values; — = no limit; “Spec limit” = specification
limit in ASTM C595/AASHTO M 240.

14
Table 15. Other Physical Characteristics of Blended Cements Reported for 2014.
Fineness,
Blaine 45-µm Air Autoclave Mortar
Cement
Statistic fineness, (No. 325) content, expansion, expansion,
type
m2/kg sieve, % % %
% passing
Mean 479 97.4 6.9 0.031 0.005
SD 68.6 1.35 0.95 0.040 0.004
Maximum 660 99.1 8.6 0.103 0.011
IL
Minimum 409 95.4 5.9 -0.007 -0.001
n 12 12 12 12 8
Spec limit — — ≤12 ≥-0.02, ≤0.80 ≤0.020*
Mean 524 96.7 5.6 -0.031 0.007
SD 155.5 2.64 1.99 0.045 0.001
Maximum 850 98.6 8.2 0.020 0.008
IP
Minimum 397 91.3 3.0 -0.120 0.006
n 8 7 8 8 2
Spec limit — — ≤12 ≥-0.02, ≤0.80 ≤0.020*
Mean 475 97.0 6.0 0.005 0.007
SD 41.2 1.85 2.21 0.014 0.004
Maximum 539 99.2 7.8 0.019 0.011
IS
Minimum 391 93.6 2.0 -0.020 0.003
n 8 8 8 7 3
Spec limit — — ≤12 ≥-0.02, ≤0.80 ≤0.020*
Key: SD = Standard deviation; n= number of values; — = not enough data reported or no limit;
“Spec limit” = specification limit in ASTM C595/AASHTO M 240.
*Mortar expansion limits only apply if sulfate content exceeds default table limits.

15
 60
Type IL 8000

Compressive strength (C109), MPa

50

40 6000

psi
30
4000

20

2000
10

0 0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Time, days

60
Type IP 8000
Compressive strength (C109), MPa

50

40 6000

psi
30
4000

20

2000
10

0 0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Time, days
60
Type IS 8000
Compressive strength (C109), MPa

50

40 6000
psi

30
4000

20

2000
10

0 0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Time, days
Figure 2. ASTM C109 compressive strengths for blended cements as
reported for 2014. Mean values are connected by dashed lines and
shaded areas represent ranges of values reported in the survey.

16
CHARACTERISTICS OF ASTM C1157 HYDRAULIC CEMENTS

Physical Properties
Tables 16 and 17 show physical data for ASTM C1157 Type GU hydraulic cements reported for
2014. The data include the mean, standard deviation, as well as the maximum and minimum for
all data reported in the survey. The following properties are included:

• Compressive strength (ASTM C109)

• Vicat setting times (ASTM C191)
• Blaine fineness (ASTM C204)
• Air contents (ASTM C185)
• Autoclave expansion (ASTM C151), and
• Mortar expansion (ASTM C1038).

Figure 3 shows strength development curves (mean values) for 2014 Type GU cements as
reported in the survey, along with the ranges of reported strengths at each age. At 1, 3, and 7 days,
the mean strengths are 44%, 67% and 80% of the 28-d value.

Table 16. Compressive Strength and Setting Time of ASTM C1157 Type GU Hydraulic Cements
Reported for 2014.
Compressive strength, Setting time (Vicat),
Cement
Statistic MPa (psi) minutes
type
1 day 3 days 7 days 28 days Initial Final
Mean 19.1 (2780) 29.3 (4250) 34.9 (5070) 43.4 (6300) 106 199
SD 3.71 (538) 4.16 (604) 3.76 (546) 3.35 (487) 19.9 39.7
Maximum 25.9 (3760) 34.0 (4930) 39.1 (5680) 48.2 (6990) 122 262
GU
Minimum 13.0 (1880) 22.4 (3250) 28.9 (4190) 37.9 (5490) 59 131
n 10 10 10 10 10 9
Spec limit — ≥13.0 (1890) ≥20.0 (2900) ≥28.0 (4060) 45 to 420 —
Key: SD = Standard deviation;, n= number of values; — = not enough data reported or no limit; “Spec limit” =
specification limit in ASTM C1157.

17
 Table 17. Other Physical Characteristics of ASTM C1157 Type GU Hydraulic
Cements Reported for 2014.
Fineness,
Blaine No. 325 Air Autoclave Mortar
Cement
Statistic fineness, (45-µm) content, expansion, expansion,
type
m2/kg sieve, % % %
% passing
Mean 514 97.5 7.0 0.015 0.003
SD 51.7 1.99 1.2 0.063 0.004
Maximum 619 99.2 9.3 0.160 0.007
GU
Minimum 432 94.0 5.3 -0.040 -0.001
n 10 10 10 10 6
Spec limit* — — ≤12 ≤0.80 ≤0.020
Key: SD = Standard deviation; n= number of values; — = no limit; “Spec limit” =
specification limit in ASTM C1157
*See ASTM C1157 for complete details.

60
Type GU 8000
Compressive strength (C109), MPa

50

40 6000

psi
30
4000

20

2000
10

0 0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Time, days
Figure 3. ASTM C109 compressive strengths for ASTM C1157 Type GU
cements as reported for 2014. Mean values connected by dashed lines
and shaded areas represent ranges of values reported in the survey.

COMPARISON OF HYDRAULIC CEMENTS FOR GENERAL CONCRETE

CONSTRUCTION

Physical Properties
Figures 4 through 7 compare properties of hydraulic cements for general concrete construction in
the US, as reported in the survey. Respectively these are setting time (Vicat), Blaine fineness, and
compressive strength.
In Fig. 4, as might be expected, initial and final Vicat (ASTM C191) setting times for
Type III cement are shorter than for other hydraulic cement types. Initial and final setting times

18
for other cements are comparable, although Type GU cements on average set a little sooner and
Type IP cements set a little slower, on average. Generally, average initial setting times fall
between 110 minutes and 140 minutes and final setting times fall between 200 minutes and
250 minutes.
Blaine fineness values for Type I, II, and V cements are relatively close, around
400 m2/kg, whereas those for Type IL, IP, IS, and GU cements are higher on average, between
475 m2/kg and 525 m2/kg. Type III has the highest average at about 560 m2/kg. Some Type III
and Type IP cements have fineness over 700 m2/kg, while some portland cements are closer to
300 m2/kg.

400
ASTM C191 (Vica) Setting time, min

Initial
350
Final
300

250

200

150

100

50

0
I II III V IL IP IS GU
Cement type
Figure 4. Mean ASTM C191 setting times (Vicat method) for hydraulic cements
reported for 2014. Error bars indicate the range of reported values.

19
 900

800
ASTM C204 (Blaine) fineness, m2/kg
700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0
I II III V IL IP IS GU
Cement type
Figure 5. Mean ASTM C204 Blaine finenesses of hydraulic cements for general concrete
construction. Error bars indicate the range of reported values.

Collected data indicate that compressive strength levels (See Fig. 6) for portland, blended
and C1157 cements are generally comparable at 1, 3, 7, and 28 days, with the exception of
those for Type III cement, which are higher than other cements through 28 days. All cement
types average over 40 MPa (5800 psi) at 28 days. Figure 7 illustrates that Types IP and IS
have steeper slopes for their strength vs. time curves between 7 days and 28 days, implying
that their ultimate strengths will be higher than that of Type III with continued curing.
Comparable early strength development properties for the various cement types may
not be surprising as these cements all compete for similar concrete applications. Also to be
noted is that ASTM C109 specifies a mortar with a water:cement ratio 0.485 for portland
cements and that water content of mortars made with non-portland cements produce a flow
of 110±5 (via ASTM C1457), which may complicate direct strength comparisons.

20
 60
1 day 3 days 7 days 28 days
8000
ASTM C109 Compressive strength, MPa
50
7000

6000
40

5000

psi
30
4000

20 3000

2000
10
1000

0 0
I II III V IL IP IS GU
Cement type
Figure 6. Mean ASTM C109 compressive strengths of hydraulic cements for general
concrete construction as reported for cements produced in 2014. In this figure, error bars
represent two standard deviations on either side of the mean.

50
ASTM C109 compressive strength, MPa

6000
40

30 I
II 4000
psi

III
20 V
IL
2000
IP
10
IS
GU
0 0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Time, days
Figure 7. Mean ASTM C109 mortar cube compressive strengths for hydraulic cements for
general concrete construction as reported for cements in 2014.

21
CHARACTERISTICS OF MASONRY CEMENTS
(ASTM C91)

Physical Properties
Table 18 is a summary of physical data for ASTM C91 cements reported in the 2014 survey. The
data are reported on the following properties of cements:

• Compressive strength (ASTM C109, using mortars defined in C91)

• Setting time (Gillmore, ASTM C266)
• Air content (ASTM C185)
• Water retention (ASTM C1506)
• Autoclave expansion (soundness) (ASTM C151), and
• Fineness by 45-µm (No. 325) sieve (ASTM C430).

Strengths of masonry cements, on average, follow the following progression: N < S < M,
which follows the order of increasing strength requirements in ASTM C91. Mean 7-day strengths
are approximately 80% of their 28-d values for all 3 cement types. Setting times mirror the trend
for compressive strength, with Type N setting slowest on average, followed by Type S and
Type M. However, it should be noted that there is a range of setting times for each cement
Type that overlap the other types somewhat. Figures 8 and 9 provide a graphical summary of the
strengths and setting times, respectively.

40
7-d
35 5000
28-d
Mortar compressive strength, MPa

30
4000
25

3000
psi

20

15
2000
10
1000
5

0 0
M S N
Cement type
Figure 8. Strength development of ASTM C91 masonry cements as reported for 2014.
Error bars indicate the range of values reported in the survey.

22
Table 18. Physical Data for ASTM C91 Masonry Cements Reported for 2014.
(Gillmore) Fineness,
Compressive strength,
Setting time, Air Water Autoclave 45-µm
Cement MPa (psi)
Statistic min content, retention, expansion, (No. 325)
type
% % % sieve,
7-day 28-day Initial Final
% retained
Mean 22.1 (3210) 26.9 (3900) 207 335 15.5 81.6 0.011 3.2
SD 4.29 (623) 4.58 (664) 104 149 1.5 5.2 0.048 1.67
Maximum 27.8 (4030) 34.7 (5040) 416 580 18.4 88.3 0.110 6.0
M Minimum 16.7 (2430) 21.1 (3060) 134 235 13.1 72.8 -0.050 0.6
n 9 9 9 7 9 9 9 9
≥90,
Spec limit* ≥12.4 (1800) ≥20.0 (2900) — ≥8, ≤19 ≥70 ≤1.0 ≤24
≤1000
Mean 17.2 (2490) 21.2 (3070) 220 358 15.8 82.4 0.039 3.6
SD 2.70 (391) 2.88 (418) 63 105 1.6 3.5 0.062 3.07
Maximum 24.0 (3480) 28.5 (4140) 393 638 19.0 92.6 0.270 12.2
S Minimum 12.9 (1870) 17.1 (2480) 149 219 12.9 77.2 -0.020 0.4
n 29 29 29 22 29 28 27 29
≥90,
Spec limit* ≥9.0 (1300) ≥14.5 (2100) — ≥8, ≤19 ≥70 ≤1.0 ≤24
≤1000
Mean 11.1 (1605) 14.0 (2035) 237 375 17.1 83.6 0.041 4.3
SD 3.67 (533) 4.22 (612) 78 105 1.8 3.9 0.055 3.37
Maximum 17.7 (2560) 22.8 (3310) 480 643 20.8 92.6 0.235 12.9
N Minimum 4.9 (710) 7.9 (1150) 134 238 13.4 77.0 -0.012 0.7
n 28 28 28 19 28 25 26 28
≥120,
Spec limit* ≥3.4 (500) ≥6.2 (900) — ≥8, ≤21 ≥70 ≤1.0 ≤24
≤1000
Key: SD = Standard deviation; n= number of values; — = no limit; “Spec limit” = specification limit.
*See ASTM C91 for complete details.

700
ASTM C266 (Gillmore) setting time, min

Initial
600
Final

500

400

300

200

100

0
M S N
Cement type
Figure 9. Gillmore setting times for ASTM C91 masonry cements as reported for 2014.
Error bars indicate the range of values reported in the survey.

23
CHARACTERISTICS OF PLASTIC (STUCCO) (ASTM C1328)
AND MORTAR CEMENTS (ASTM C1329)
Although data is available for a limited number of plastic and mortar cements, physical data for
plastic or stucco cements (ASTM C1328) reported for 2014 are given in Table 19 and for mortar
cements in Table 20. For Table 19, summary data are reported as mean, standard deviation,
maximum, minimum, and number of cements the following properties:

• Compressive strength (ASTM C109)

• Setting times (Gillmore, ASTM C266)
• Autoclave expansion (ASTM C151)
• Water retention (C1506)
• Air content (ASTM C185), and
• Fineness (ASTM C430)
Due to the small number of cements reported, data for all 4 mortar cements were averaged
together for the following properties in Table 20:

• Compressive strength (ASTM C109, modified)

• Setting times (Gillmore, ASTM C266)
• Autoclave expansion (ASTM C151)
• Water retention (ASTM C1506),
• Air content (ASTM C185), and
• Fineness (ASTM C430).

24
Table 19. Physical Data for ASTM C1328 Plastic (Stucco) Cements reported for Cements Reported
for 2014. *
Compressive Fineness
Setting time
strength, 45-µm
(Gillmore), Autoclave Water Air
Cement MPa (No. 325)
Statistic minutes expansion, retention, content,
type (psi) sieve,
% % %
%
7-d 28-d Initial Final
retained
23.9 28.9
Mean 203 321 0.019 81.6 15.2 2.0
(3470) (4190)
3.79 4.32
SD 40 38 0.046 4.89 0.79 1.38
(550) (630)
27.3 32.3
M Maximum 258 362 0.087 87.0 15.8 3.2
(3960) (4680)
18.5 22.8
Minimum 163 290 -0.012 76.4 14.1 0.2
(2680) (3310)
n 4 4 4 3 4 4 4 4
≥12.4 ≥20.0 ≥90,
Spec limit – ≤1.0 ≥70 ≥8, ≤20 ≤24
(1800) (2900) ≤1000
13.8 17.3
Mean 175 – 0.000 82.7 17.0 3.9
(2000) (2510)
1.12 1.50
SD 36 – 0.007 2.30 2.29 2.68
(160) (220)
14.8 18.9
S Maximum 216 – 0.007 85.3 19.0 7.2
(2150) (2740)
12.3 16.0
Minimum 149 – -0.007 81.0 14.0 1.1
(1780) (2320)
n 4 4 3 – 3 3 4 4
≥9.0 ≥14.5 ≥90,
Spec limit – ≤1.0 ≥70 ≥8, ≤20 ≤24
(1300) (2100) ≤1000
Key: SD = Standard deviation; n= number of values; — = no limit or not enough data; “Spec limit” = specification
limit.

Table 20. Physical Data for ASTM C1329 Mortar Cements reported for Cements Reported for
2014.*
Compressive Setting time Fineness
strength, (Gillmore), Autoclave Water Air 45-µm
Cement
Statistic MPa (psi) minutes expansion, retention, content, (No. 325)
type
% % % sieve,
7-d 28-d Initial Final
% retained
25.7 29.8
Mean 181 282 0.080 82 13.2 5.3
(3720) (4320)
2.69 4.54
SD 52 70 0.060 4.12 2.62 5.7
(391) (659)
29.6 35.3
Maximum 258 362 0.120 86 15.0 13.5
All (4290) (5120)
23.4 25.2
Minimum 140 242 -0.007 78 9.3 0.2
(3400) (3650)
n 4 4 4 3 4 4 4 4
≥90 or
≥8, ≤15 or
Spec limit varies varies ≥120, – ≤1.0 ≥70 ≤24
≤17
≤1000
Key: SD = Standard deviation; n= number of values; — = no limit; “Spec limit” = specification limit.
*Data is average for all C1329 cements received: 1 Type M, 1 Type N and 2 Type S.

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CONCLUSIONS
This report summarizes mean values for cement characteristics obtained in a 2015 survey of
hydraulic cements in the US, which requested yearly average data for cements produced in 2014
under ASTM C150/AASHTO M 85 (portland cements), ASTM C595/AASHTO M 240 (blended
hydraulic cements), ASTM C1157 (hydraulic cements), ASTM C91 (masonry cements), ASTM
C1328 (plastic (stucco) cements), and ASTM C1329 (mortar cements). Data for 251 cements
were provided by 68 plants, representing about 72% of active US plants.
Type II portland cements remain the most common type of cement produced in the US,
produced at 56 of the 68 plants. The data on blended and Type GU cements produced to meet
ASTM C595/AASHTO M 240 and ASTM C1157, respectively, indicate broadly similar setting
times and strength development characteristics to Type I and Type II portland cements.
Data on cements for masonry are provided for 66 cements produced to meet ASTM C91,
with C1328 and C1329 cements being less commonly produced.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This research report (PCA R&D SN3284) reflects the views of the author, who is responsible for
the facts and accuracy of the data presented. The contents do not necessarily reflect the views of
the Portland Cement Association. The author would like to thank Brian Schmidt of PCA’s
Market Intelligence group for assistance in conducting the survey.

REFERENCES
ASTM International standards referenced in this text can be found at www.astm.org and
AASHTO standards can be located at www.bookstore.transportation.org.

Bhatty, J. I. and Tennis, P. D., US and Canadian Cement Characteristics: 2004, R&D SN2879,
Portland Cement Association, Skokie, Illinois, USA, 2008, 67 pages,
http://www2.cement.org/pdf_files/SN2879.pdf.

Clifton, J. R. and Mathey, R. G., “Compilation of Data from Laboratory Studies,” Interrelation
Between Cement and Concrete Properties, Part 6, Building Science Series 36, National Bureau
of Standards, Washington, D. C., August 1971. Available at (accessed May 2016):
https://ia600307.us.archive.org/22/items/interrelationsbe36clif/interrelationsbe36clif.pdf.

Farny, J. A. and Kerkhoff, B., Diagnosis and Control of Alkali-Aggregate Reactions in Concrete,
IS413, Portland Cement Association, Skokie, Illinois, USA, 2007, 26 pages,
http://www2.cement.org/pdf_files/IS413.pdf.

Gebhardt, R. F., “Survey of North American Portland Cements: 1994,” Cement, Concrete, and
Aggregates, December 1995, pages 145 to 189.

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 Tennis, P. D., “Portland Cement Characteristics —1998,” Concrete Technology Today, Vol. 2,
No. 2, PL992, Portland Cement Association (PCA), Skokie, Illinois, USA, August 1999, pages 1
to 4, http://www2.cement.org/pdf_files/PL992.pdf.

Tennis, P. D. and Bhatty, J. I., “Portland Cement Characteristics — 2004,” Concrete Technology
Today, Vol. 26, No. 3, CT053, Portland Cement Association (PCA), Skokie, Illinois, USA,
December 2005, pages 1 to 3, http://www2.cement.org/pdf_files/CT053.pdf.

van Oss, H. G., “Cement,” Chapter 16 in 2013 Minerals Yearbook, US Geological Survey,
December 2015, 33 pages, http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/cement/myb1-
2013-cemen.pdf. Additional data and updates available at:
http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/cement/.

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