WHAT IS FINENESS OF CEMENT?
Fineness of cement is property of cement that indicate particle size of cement and specific surface area. and indirectly effect heat of hydration.
IMPORTANCE/EFFECT OF FINENESS OF CEMENT:
- Fineness of cement affects hydration rate hence the rate of strength gain.
- The smaller the particle size, the greater the surface area-to-volume ratio, and thus, the more area available for water-cement interaction per unit volume.
- Therefore finer cement reacts faster with water and the rate of development of strength and corresponding heat of hydration is high.
- Fineness is a measure of how even each granules are, leading to a greater surface area & greater the surface area more the adhesion.
- Bleeding can be reduced by increasing fineness. However, increased fineness can also lead to the requirement of more water for workability, resulting in a higher possibility of dry shrinkage.
- Fineness test is used to check the proper grinding of cement and measures the surface area of the cement particles per unit mass.
FINENESS LIMIT:
It should not exceed following percentage by weight for different types of cement.
- Ordinary Portland cement =10%
- Rapid hardening cement =5%
- Low heat cement =5%
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