What is a Grade of Cement?

Cement is a very popular and the oldest binding material in the world. There are various types of cement available nowadays. Each cement has special properties and therefore it is used under certain conditions.

A grade of cement indicates the strength of cement. The strength of cement is generally measured as compressive strength.The strength of cement is the most important of all the cement properties. Compressive strength is generally measured after 28 days of curing for a standard cube. Compressive strength measured in Mega pascal (Mpa) or in N/mm2.

There are three grades of cement available in the market:

01. 33-Grade Ordinary Portland Cement:

The 33-grade cement means that the compressive strength of the cement after 28 days is 33N/mm2 when tested as per Indian Standards under standard conditions. This type of cement is used for general construction work under normal environmental condition.

02. 43-Grade Ordinary Portland Cement:

The 43-grade cement means that the compressive strength of the cement after 28 days is 43N/mm2 when tested as per Indian Standards under standard conditions. This type of cement is used for plain concrete work and plastering works.

03. 53-Grade Ordinary Portland Cement:

The 53-grade cement means that the compressive strength of the cement after 28 days is 53 N/mm2 when tested as per Indian Standards under standard conditions. This type of cement is not used for ordinary works. It is mostly used for the structural purposes as in reinforced cement concrete.

It is a very important to check the grade of cement before use it because it ultimately affects the strength of your structure. If you do not use suitable cement for the particular job, you never get your design strength.

Nowadays with advent of new sophisticated techniques, manufacturing of high strength have become possible. But you don’t need high strength everywhere like masonry or mortar for plaster, flooring etc.

Mostly 53-grade ordinary portland cement is used in construction industry. Nowadays there are very few manufacturers that produce 33 grade ordinary portland cement and 43 grade ordinary portland cement.

In such case when 33 and 43 grade cement are not available, one can opt for PPC where cost will be marginally lower.

As hardly anyone manufacturer 33 or 43 grade cement, it is difficult to state about its cost, but it has been lower than 53 grade. Mini plants generally manufacture 33/43 grade cement