Types of Cement Used in Construction

Cement is the most essential binding material in construction, acting as the foundation for every durable structure we build. 

  

There are various types of cement used in modern construction, each engineered with a unique composition to suit specific structural and environmental requirements. Understanding these cement types helps in choosing the right one for the right purpose — ensuring strength, durability, and cost efficiency.

Types of Cement – Composition, Properties, and Applications

Type of Cement	Main Composition	Key Properties / Purpose	Typical Applications
Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC)	Clinker (95%), Gypsum (5%)	High early strength, fast setting, general-purpose use	Buildings, pavements, bridges, slabs, columns
Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC)	Clinker (70%), Pozzolana (20–30%), Gypsum (3–5%)	Low heat of hydration, improved durability, eco-friendly	Dams, marine works, foundations, mass concreting
Rapid Hardening Cement (RHC)	More C₃S content, finer grinding	Gains strength rapidly, early demoulding	Precast concrete, road repairs, cold-weather concreting
Sulphate Resisting Cement (SRC)	Low C₃A (<5%), high C₂S	High resistance to sulfate attack	Marine foundations, sewage plants, chemical industries
Low Heat Cement	Low C₃S and C₃A, high C₂S	Reduces heat of hydration, minimizes cracking	Dams, retaining walls, large foundations
White Cement	Pure limestone, low iron & manganese oxides	High whiteness, aesthetic finish, smooth texture	Decorative works, tile fixing, architectural finishes
Portland Slag Cement (PSC)	Clinker (45–50%), Slag (45–50%), Gypsum (3–5%)	High durability, sulfate & chloride resistance	Marine structures, basements, retaining walls
Hydrophobic Cement	OPC + stearic or oleic acid additives	Moisture resistant, long shelf life	Humid regions, water tanks, rainy-weather storage
Colored Cement	White cement + mineral pigments	Adds color & aesthetics, same strength as white cement	Decorative floors, facades, murals, tiles
High Alumina Cement (HAC)	Limestone + Bauxite (≥40% Al₂O₃)	Rapid strength gain, high chemical resistance	Refractory works, chemical plants, sewer linings
Air-Entraining Cement	OPC + air-entraining agents	Improved freeze–thaw resistance, better workability	Pavements, bridges, cold-region structures
Expansive Cement	Clinker + calcium sulpho-aluminate + MgO	Expands slightly on setting, reduces shrinkage cracks	Grouting, anchoring, repair works
Portland-Limestone Cement (PLC)	Clinker + 5–15% Limestone + Gypsum	Environmentally friendly, similar strength as OPC	Sustainable construction, general structures

Let's discuss each type in detail.

1. Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC)

OPC is made primarily from clinker (about 95 %) and gypsum (about 5 %). The clinker is formed by heating limestone and clay to produce compounds such as tricalcium silicate (C₃S), dicalcium silicate (C₂S), tricalcium aluminate (C₃A) and tetracalcium aluminoferrite (C₄AF). Encyclopedia Britannica+1

It provides a good general-purpose binding material, offering moderate to high strength and a reliable performance in most construction settings.

Used in general building work: residential structures, commercial buildings, pavements, reinforced concrete work, slabs and columns.

In India we previously noted something like ₹360-420 per 50 kg bag. In US dollar terms (roughly converting) this corresponds to about US$4.50-5.50 per 50 kg bag, depending on region and brand.

2. Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC)

PPC is produced by combining Portland clinker (≈70 %) with pozzolanic materials (≈20–30 %) such as fly-ash, volcanic ash or calcined clay, plus gypsum (≈3–5 %). JK Cement+1

To provide better durability, lower heat of hydration, and improved resistance to chemical attack (especially for pozzolanic reactions).

Suitable for mass concrete works, large foundations, dams, bridges, marine and underground structures.

Earlier noted about ₹340-390 per 50 kg bag in India; in USD this is roughly US$4.20-4.80 per 50 kg bag.

3. Rapid Hardening Cement (RHC)

Similar to OPC but with a higher proportion of tricalcium silicate (C₃S) and finer grinding to accelerate strength development.

Designed to gain strength more quickly than OPC, thus enabling early removal of formwork and faster construction cycles.

Used in precast concrete manufacturing, repair works, road construction, cold-weather concreting.
Approximate Cost:
If OPC is US$4.50-5.50, RHC may cost about US$5.50-6.50 per 50 kg bag, due to the special processing and faster strength gains.

4. Sulphate Resisting Cement (SRC)

A variant of OPC but with low tricalcium aluminate (C₃A) content (often < 5 %) to reduce vulnerability to sulfate attack. 

To provide resistance where ground or water contains sulfates that may attack the concrete or reinforcing steel.

Used in foundations, sewage treatment plants, marine structures, underground structures in sulfate‐rich soils.

This specialized cement may cost around US$6.50-7.50 per 50 kg bag.

5. Low Heat Cement

This type reduces the amount of C₃A and C₃S and increases slower‐reacting compounds (C₂S) so that heating during hydration is minimized. 

To reduce the risk of thermal cracking in large concrete pours by lowering the heat of hydration.

Mass concrete structures such as dams, large foundations, retaining walls and nuclear power plant bases.

Approximately US$6.00-6.80 per 50 kg bag (higher than standard OPC due to special formulation).

6. White Cement

Manufactured from raw materials very low in iron oxide and manganese oxide, often using oil as fuel to maintain purity/whiteness. 

Used for architectural finishes, aesthetic concrete surfaces, tile work and decorative precast.

Facade cladding panels, terrazzo flooring, coloured concrete, decorative renderings.

Significantly more expensive due to special raw materials and manufacturing; around US$10.00-12.00 per 50 kg bag (or more depending on region).

7. Portland Slag Cement (PSC)

Made by grinding together Portland clinker, gypsum and granulated blast‐furnace slag (often 45-50 % slag) which enhances chemical resistance. 

To improve durability, reduce heat of hydration and provide better resistance to chloride and sulfate attack.

Marine structures, underground works, water‐retaining structures, large foundations.

Comparable to PPC, around US$4.50-5.20 per 50 kg bag in many markets.

8. Hydrophobic Cement

OPC or similar cement with added water‐repelling additives (such as stearic acid or oleic acid) during milling.

To resist absorption of moisture, improve storage stability in humid climates and be suitable for construction in rainy/humid zones.

Construction in humid or coastal climates, roofing, mortar where moisture ingress is a concern, prefabricated elements.

Slight premium over OPC—about US$5.80-6.50 per 50 kg bag.

9. Coloured Cement or Pigment Cement 

It uses white or off‐white cement blended with oxide pigments (iron oxide red/brown, cobalt blue, chromium green) or coloured aggregates to deliver aesthetic finishes.

For decorative floors, facades, coloured concrete elements, architecture where colour is required in the cementitious material.

Terrazzo, coloured sidewalks, decorative wall panels, mural concrete surfaces.

Due to pigments and special manufacture, around US$12.00-14.00 per 50 kg bag, depending on pigment and colour.

10. High Alumina Cement (HAC)

Made from bauxite and limestone—with high alumina content (Al₂O₃ > 40 %)—this cement gains strength rapidly and has unique properties.

Used where thermal stability, rapid strength or chemical resistance are vital.

Industrial plants, refractory works, chemical processing units, marine exposure, sewer linings and rapid repair works.

Premium product — around US$9.00-11.00 per 50 kg bag in many markets.

11.Air-Entraining Cement

Typically OPC or blended cement with air‐entraining agents added during grinding to create minute air bubbles in the hardened concrete. 

Improve freeze-thaw resistance, enhance durability in climates with cyclic freezing and thawing, reduce scaling.

Cold‐region sidewalks, bridges, pavements, outdoor slabs subject to freeze-thaw cycles.
Slight premium—about US$5.50-6.20 per 50 kg bag. Also mentioned as freeze thaw cement or AEC cement type.

11.Expansive Cement or Shrinkage compensating Cement

Special cement that expands slightly as it hardens, with additives such as calcium sulpho-aluminate or magnesium oxides to control expansion.

To compensate for shrinkage in concrete, reduce cracking, allow better bonding in repair mortars or fill gaps tightly.

Under structural base plates, repair grouts, precision anchoring, heavy equipment pads.
High end—around US$8.00-9.00 per 50 kg bag depending on formulation.

11.Portland-Limestone Cement (PLC) / Ternary Blended Cement

Blended cement with clinker plus limestone (5-15 %) and/or other supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) for lower CO₂ footprint.

Reduce carbon footprint, improve sustainability, similar performance to general use cement but with greener credentials.

General construction where sustainability is prioritized; large scale residential/commercial buildings, infrastructure.

Similar to OPC or PPC – about US$4.50-5.00 per 50 kg bag, possibly slightly cheaper in some markets.

Conclusion

We have described a wide range of cement types—from general use to highly specialized varieties—with approximate US dollar pricing for each. Choosing the correct cement type depends on composition, purpose, application environment, and budget. 

By matching the right cement to the structural and environmental demands of your project, you ensure durability, quality, and cost-effectiveness.