Masonry cement is a blended hydraulic cement that is developed for special use. It is specifically made to use in construction of masonry as the name suggests.
Ordinary cement mortar, though superior when compared to lime mortar in respect to strength and setting properties, is inferior in respect to workability, water-retentivity, shrinkage property and extensibility.
This is where masonry cement comes into play. It was developed to remove those flaws while keeping the ideal properties of cement mortar.
What is Masonry Cement?
Masonry cement is a type of cement which is made with a particular combination of materials, which when used for making mortar, integrate all good qualities of lime mortar and remove all flaws of cement mortar.
Certain amounts of air entraining agent and mineral admixture are also added in this cement to improve plasticity and water-retentivity.
How Masonry Cement is Made? (Composition of Masonry Cement)
Masonary cement is manufactured by grinding and mixing cement clinker with either pozzolanic or non-pozzolanic (i.e. inert) and waste materials. Gypsum and air entraining plasticizer are also added in suitable proportions.
The fineness of masonry cement is generally kept greater than that of OPC.
Examples of materials that can be added to make masonry cement are given below:
- Examples of pozzolanic materials – Fly ash or calcined clay
- Examples of inert materials – Limestone, conglomerates, dolomite, and granulated slag
- Waste materials such as carbonated sludge, and mine tailings can also be added.
Rest of the manufacturing process is the same as that of OPC. To know the full process of
manufacturing cement – Click Here.
Masonry Cement Properties
The physical properties of masonry cement as per IS 3466- 1988 are as tabulated below:
| Physical properties | Requirements |
| Fineness: Residue on 45-micron IS Sieve, Max, Percent (by wet sieving) | 15 % |
| Setting Time (by Vicat Apparatus): (a) Initial, Min (b) Final, Max | 90 minutes 24 hours |
| Soundness: (a) Le-Chatelier expansion, Max (b) Autoclave expansion, Max | 10 mm 1 % |
| Compressive Strength: (Average strength of not less than 3 mortar cubes of 50 mm size, composed of 1 part masonry cement and 3 parts standard sand by volume) 7 days, Min 28 days, Min | 2.5 MPa 5 MPa |
| Air Content: Air content of mortar composed of 1 part masonry cement and 3 parts standard sand by volume, Min | 6 % |
| Water Retention: Flow after suction of mortar composed of 1 part of masonry cement and 3 parts standard sand by volume, Min | 60 % of original flow |
Types of Masonry Cement According to ASTM C- 91
Designated by ASTM C- 91 standards, there are three #types of masonry cement
Masonry cement types are listed below:
1. Type N masonry cement
2. Type S masonry cement
3. Type M masonry cement
From these types, type N masonry cement is for general use in most mortar and stucco applications. While type M and type S are specifically for high strength requirements in load bearing or below grade walls.
These masonry cement types conform to physical properties of ASTM C-91.
Storage of Masonry Cement
Masonry cement is stored conforming to the same rules as OPC.
For precautions to be taken during storage of cement read- Storage of cement
Delivery of Masonry Cement
Cement shall be delivered by packing in the following way-
- Jute sacking bag conforming to IS: 2580
- Multi-wall paper sacks conforming to IS: 11761
- Light weight jute conforming to IS: 12154
- HDPE/PP woven sacks conforming to IS: 11652
- Woven poly propylene conforming to IS: 11653
- Jute synthetic union bags conforming to IS: 12174
- Composite bag – Approved
The following should be marked on each cement bag:
- The words “Masonry cement”
- The number of bags (net mass) to the tonne or the nominal average net mass
Each bag should have net quantity of cement- 50 kg. It can also be available for net quantity of 25 kg.
Sampling and Testing
The sampling of masonry cement shall be done within 3 weeks of delivery of cement. The methods and procedure of sampling shall be done in accordance to IS: 3535- 1986.
The testing of masonry cement shall be done within 4 weeks of delivery. For testing standard IS: 3466- 1988 (Specification for masonry cement) shall be referred.
Application of Masonry Cement
Masonry cement is mixed with sand and water to form mortar for masonry construction or plastering.
Mortar is bonding material that bind and fill the gaps between individual masonry units in masonry.
Uses of Masonry Cement
#Masonry cement uses are as follow:
- To make mortar for masonry works
- For plastering works
- For making stucco
Advantages of Masonry Cement
The advantages of masonry cement are as written below:
- Masonry cement has improved workability
- It has better water retention
- Masonry cement produces smooth, plastic, cohesive and strong, yet very workable mortar.
- It is more durable as mortar cement
- Cracks from shrinkage and temperature movement are considerable reduced as it is low on heat of hydration
- It has longer setting time providing large time window to work the mortar in masonry constructions or plastering work
- It is easy to handle during masonry construction
Disadvantages of Masonry Cement
The disadvantages of masonry cement are as written below:
- It has no use except as mortar cement
- It has low strength compared to OPC and can’t be used as construction material in concreting
Why Masonry Cement is not Suitable for Concreting?
The masonry cement as name suggests is developed for construction of masonry works. It does not confer to the same standard as the concreting cement (OPC).
The masonry cement is typically weaker than OPC as it has more additives such as pozzolanic and inert materials and sometimes waste materials such as carbonated sludge, mine tailings.
These additives make masonry cement unsuitable to use in concrete works as it will not gain sufficient strength.
Masonry Cement vs. Mortar Cement
“Mortar cement” as a separate type of cement does not exist in reality, but the term is used to
describe any cement used to make mortar. The most common cement used to make mortar is
OPC (Ordinary Portland cement).
Portland Cement vs. Masonry Cement
Masonry cement is superior to Portland cement as it contains the desirable properties of cement mortar relating to strength and setting but discards the flaws. It has better workability and water-retention when compared.
| Aspect | Masonry Cement | Mortar Cement (OPC) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | It was developed for use in masonry works such as making masonry mortar and stucco. | Widely used in various construction applications. It has to be specifically mix designed for mortar applications. |
| Binding Strength | It offers higher binding strength and durability for mortar. | It can provide good binding strength for masonry work. |
| Workability | It has excellent workability and plasticity. | It can be designed to have good workability for mortar applications. |
| Water Retention | Provides better water retention in the mix. | It has moderate water retention capabilities. |
| Setting Time | Typically, it has longer setting time compared to mortar cement. | Normal setting time for mortar applications. |
Key Takeaway
Masonry cement definition
It is a blended hydraulic cement that is developed specially for making mortar for masonry works.
Masonry cement properties
Physical properties of masonry cement as per IS 3466- 1988 tabulated below:
| Physical properties | Requirements |
| Fineness: Residue on 45-micron IS Sieve, Max, Percent (by wet sieving) | 15 % |
| Setting Time (by Vicat Apparatus): (a) Initial, Min (b) Final, Max | 90 minutes 24 hours |
| Soundness: (a) Le-Chatelier expansion, Max (b) Autoclave expansion, Max | 10 mm 1 % |
| Compressive Strength: (Average strength of not less than 3 mortar cubes of 50 mm size, composed of 1 part masonry cement and 3 parts standard sand by volume) 7 days, Min 28 days, Min | 2.5 MPa 5 MPa |
| Air Content: Air content of mortar composed of 1 part masonry cement and 3 parts standard sand by volume, Min | 6 % |
| Water Retention: Flow after suction of mortar composed of 1 part of masonry cement and 3 parts standard sand by volume, Min | 60 % of original flow |
Application/Uses of masonry cement
Masonry cement is used to make mortar for construction of masonry walls and structures.
It is used for masonry construction, plastering and making stucco.
FAQ
What’s the difference between masonry and Portland cement?
Masonry cement is superior to Portland cement as it contains the desirable properties of cement mortar relating to strength and setting but discards the flaws. It has better workability and water-retention when compared.
Is lime mortar better than cement?
Ordinary cement mortar, though superior when compared to lime mortar in respect to strength and setting properties, is inferior in respect to workability, water-retentivity, shrinkage property and extensibility.
So it can be said that they have their own special properties and are to be used as per requirement.
What is masonry cement used for?
Masonry cement is used to make mortar for brick masonry, as well as plastering works.