Standard specifications for cements

Q. Are there standard specifications for cements?

A. Yes. The ASTM Standard Specification for Portland Cement (ASTM C150) provides for five types as follows:

- Type I—The standard product that has long been in use with no limitation on the proportions of the major oxides (CaO, SiO₂, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃), also referred to as “ordinary portland cement.”

- Type II—This cement possesses moderate resistance to sulfate attack because of certain limitations on composition. Sometimes called moderate-heat cement, it is intermediate between Type I and the low-heat Type IV cement. If moderate heat of hydration is desired, however, the optional limit on heat of hydration should be invoked when specifying or ordering.

- Type III—High-early-strength portland cement is often produced by grinding Type I clinker finer or by altering the chemical composition of the cement.

- Type IV—Low-heat portland cement. Not currently made in the United States and limited in production elsewhere.

- Type V—Sulfate-resisting portland cement with appropriate limits on composition.

In addition, portland cement can also be specified under ASTM C1157 (Standard Performance Specification for Hydraulic Cement) as:

- Type GU—general use.

- Type HE— high early strength.

- Type MS—moderate sulfate resistance.

- Type HS—high sulfate resistance.

- Type MH—moderate heat of hydration.

- Type LH—low heat of hydration.

Portland cement is also used in making blended cements according to ASTM C595 or ASTM C1157.

References:  SP-1(02); ACI 225R-19; E3-13; ASTM C150; ASTM C1157; ASTM C595; ASTM C1157

Topics in Concrete: Cementitious Material; Concrete Fundamentals