There is a fundamental Difference Between Cement and Concrete yet you have heard people using this term interchangeably. Many people may not know that they are different from one another. Cement is an ingredient in concrete. In this blog, we are going to compare and contrast concrete and cement to understand them better. 

Difference Between Cement and Concrete 

Let’s assess the difference between cement and concrete by going through the following points 

1) Composition 

Cement is a fine powder-like substance that turns hard after it’s mixed with water. Cement is mostly made up of clay and limestone. Clay and limestone are heated at a high temperature of 1500°C. These materials are crushed and combined to form lumps of clinker. Other materials such as calcium sulphate, aluminium and iron are added to the mixture. Then it is ground into a powder-like form known as concrete. 

Concrete is composed of cement, water, sand or gravel. Cement functions as a binding agent. Sand or gravel are aggregates that give strength to the composition. Whereas water is used to make it hard. So cement is a part of concrete. This is the main difference between cement and concrete.

2) Use

Concrete is much easier to work with rather than just cement. Since cement is hard and sturdy it is easier to handle. Unlike cement which is basically just a powder. Concrete can also be molded into different shapes which makes it a desirable material for construction.

 

No doubt that cement is an important component in concrete, but without mixing it with water it has very limited uses. 

3) Cost

The price of cement and concrete depends upon a lot of factors. It can vary depending upon:

• Location
• Amount 
• Market trends 
• Type
• Brand 
• Availability 
• Requirements of the project 
• Transportation expense 

But despite these variables, cement is cheaper than concrete. A Cost Estimating Firm can better explain the expenses of a project. Estimators accurately analyze the material, labour and equipment cost of concrete and generate a precise predictive budget regarding any project. SMA Estimating LLC is one of the best concrete cost-estimating services that produce accurate results. 

Types of Cement and Concrete 

There are different types of Cement and Concrete depending upon their manufacturing process and properties. 

Types of Cement

• Ordinary Portland Cement

Ordinary Portland cement is abbreviated as OPC. It is the most basic form of cement. It’s easily available almost everywhere. 

• Portland Pozzolana Cement 

Portland pozzolana cement or PPC is made by mixing pozzolanic clinker with ordinary cement. It increases resistance to chemical exposure. 

• Rapid Hardening Cement

Rapid hardening cement hardens very quickly when it comes into contact with water. It is made by grinding C3S with ordinary cement.

• Low Heat Cement 

Low-heat cement releases less heat when it is setting. Although the setting time is longer it is less reactive. It is made by increasing C2S and keeping tricalcium aluminium below 6%.

Types of Concrete 

Let’s continue our road to understanding the difference between cement and concrete by taking a look at types of concrete. 

• Basic or normal-strength concrete 

Normal-strength concrete is made up of just water, cement and aggregate. It takes about 40 to 90 minutes to set. It cannot withstand very high stress.

• Reinforced Concrete 

Concrete is strengthened or reinforced by using rebars such as wires, cables or steel rods. It can handle high stress and doesn’t crack easily.

• Lightweight Concrete 

Lightweight concrete is produced by adding lightweight aggregates such as clay, scoria, perlite etc. Its weight does not increase to 1900kg/m³. 

• Prestressed Concrete 

Prestressed concrete also uses revvars to strengthen it but the rebar is stressed before construction. This compression increases the strength of the concrete which makes it ideal for larger structures such as bridges. 

How to Make the Right Choice?

As described, there are many different types of concrete and cement. While it may seem convenient that there are so many options to choose from, it can also confuse a person. The best way to make the right choice is to do your research or hire a professional. Concrete Estimators can guide your decisions by creating an accurate budget for you. The type of concrete or cement that you pick needs to fall within your budget and fulfil the requirements of the project. A cost estimator can help to do both. 

Final Words 

The difference between cement and concrete is mainly its composition. The composition affects its properties resulting in many different types of concrete and cement. It is important to understand these differences if one is about to undertake a construction project. The more knowledge you have about the raw material that goes into construction, the more profitable your construction project will turn out.