What is the difference between cement and concrete? Is it a cement mixer or a concrete mixer? Do they mean the same thing? In today’s blog, we will help clear up this confusion and learn the difference between these two substances.
Many people use the terms concrete and cement interchangeably, although they are not the same thing. When people say things like cement parking lot or cement walls, they are mistaking concrete for cement. Referring to concrete as cement is like referring to bread as flour or yeast.
Concrete, not Cement
Portland cement, the most widely used variety, is a mixture of gypsum, silicates, and several metal oxides, superheated and ground into a very fine powder. Concrete, on the other hand, is the durable building material which is made up different mixtures of cement, sand, rocks, ash, and water. Depending on the intended purpose of concrete, it can be anywhere from 10 -15% cement by mass. The cement, when combined with water, acts as a bonding agent, making the aggregates in the concrete stick together to form its hard surface.
When making concrete, there are other factors to consider besides how much cement to add. Based on the climate and thickness of the concrete, different chemicals may need to be added to ensure that it dries and sets correctly. There are other ingredients that can be added to concrete in special conditions, such as if the concrete will be submerged in water or will be under a large amount of structural stress. Contact PTG Enterprises if you have any more questions about concrete or cement or are interested in a professional commercial concrete job.
PTG Enterprises: A Commercial Concrete Contractor in Baltimore
PTG Enterprises are experts with commercial concrete jobs. Our crews are highly skilled and extremely familiar with all types of concrete paving. When you hire PTG Enterprises, you can be rest assured that the end result will look professional and last for years to come. Best of all, we promise to work closely with you every step of the way to ensure the project is completed to your exact specifications and all timetables are met.
If you have any further questions about our blog, “What is the Difference Between Concrete and Cement?” please contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today! Also, look for us on Facebook and Twitter for even more information!
