Cement M500: characteristics and scope

Many people cannot imagine construction and various types of repairs without the use of cement. There are many brands on the market, different additives for every type of construction work. But cement of the M500 brand is considered one of the most successful, high-quality materials used in a wide range of activities. What it is good for and what it can be used for will be discussed in this article.

Cement is a fairly finely ground powder of mineral origin. It is made on the basis of calcium silicate compounds. Manufacturing is a proven process. The main component in the cement mixture is clinker. The necessary raw materials are extracted from limestone quarries. Materials on special equipment are crushed into small particles (the fraction should be no more than 100 mm). After this, the granules are dried. Then the material is mixed with the rest of the cement components and fired. This is how clinker is formed.

Then it is crushed by adding gypsum stones and various additives. Impurities impart different properties to cement: hydrophobic ones protect against moisture, plasticizers improve the quality of the solution, acid-resistant ones protect against chemical attack. The result is the final product.

Basically, cement grade M500 is used in construction to increase the strength of structures, create various components of buildings, foundations, paths and walls.

Two main types of M500 cement have been developed. Their main difference is in the content of impurities.

• Clean composition. D0 is denoted - it does not contain any impurities and substances to impart certain additional characteristics. The use of this type is very extensive, the brand without additives is the most common in construction. The addition of D0 to concrete makes it strong, frost and moisture resistant.
• With the index d20. This type of product contains additives, but not more than 20% of the total mixture. It is common on industrial-scale construction sites and is popular for the needs of ordinary consumers. Its strength indicators are somewhat worse than that of pure cement, nevertheless, the quality and durability have shown themselves to be better than those of the M400 brand.

All impurities are divided into several types and give certain directions of use.

• Fast hardening cement BTTs. A distinctive feature of this composition is the ability to achieve full hardness and readiness within 72 hours after completion of work, which is unusually fast for cement.
• Sulfate resistant SSPC. It is used for deep foundations. This is due to the fact that the additives protect against the effects of sulfate waters. Groundwater and underground rivers often contain large amounts of sulphates, which have a destructive effect on concrete structures.
• Plastic PL (with the addition of plasticizing additives). Increased flexibility and resistance to temperature extremes add to the basic characteristics of the M500.

• Hydrophobic GF - resistant to water and wet vapors.
• Waterproof VRC. This species quickly begins to solidify, while not allowing water to pass through.Such features are very much in demand during repair work in order to close up cracks, cracks, into which moisture can get.
• "Noble" business center. Most often it is used for decorative items. It looks impressive due to the white color.

One of the most important characteristics for the 500th cement is its resistance to low temperatures and their large fluctuations. Especially grades with PL and hydrophobic additives are suitable for extreme operating conditions. High frost resistance is relevant for the climatic features of many parts of our country. For the M500 type, it reaches 10 units.

Another fundamental indicator when choosing a cement mixture is its weight. When manufacturing structures, concrete screeds, it is important to know what kind of load they will impose on the base. For example, let's say you're doing a concrete screed in a wooden house. It is necessary that the boards withstand the load from the mineral mixture. It is impractical to measure the mass of cement or concrete in kilograms, therefore parameters such as specific gravity and bulk density are used. The first is the size of the ratio of the weight of the mixture to its volume. Density has a similar meaning.

In the process of working with cement mixtures, air spaces are formed between the particles of the compositions. If concrete fills as much as possible all cavities with air, then this is considered the true density. But in most cases, this is unrealistic to accomplish. Thus, pores are formed, which affect the quality characteristics of the concrete solution.

Cement mixes can have different densities depending on the size of the clinker material, additives and impurities. The type of cement will affect how it creates the density of the concrete mix. Cements with low bulk density are used to prepare large volumes of concrete. This translates into significant financial gain.

Bulk density also depends on the shelf life of the M500. Freshly made cement has an indicator of 1100-1200 kg per cubic meter. m. The more the mixture lies, the denser and heavier it becomes. Over time, values ​​can reach 1600 kg per cubic meter. m. At the same time, the indicator of true density is in the range of 3200 kg per cubic meter. m. Bulk density will not be able to reach this value even after a long time. There will still be a small amount of air in the pores.

The above and encrypted load of 500 kg per sq. cm cement slurry begins to withstand 28 days after installation.

When buying a PC M500, you should pay attention to one more quality indicator - the shelf life. Cement is usually sold in 50 kg bags. Not all sellers follow the correct storage conditions. It is necessary that the mixture be protected from excessive moisture, the tightness of the package is not broken, and the temperature in the warehouse always remains positive.

For cement, the expiration date is 1 year. But over time, the composition will lose activity. For example, M500 after 60 days, according to technical parameters, is converted into the M400 brand. After 6 months, the cement composition will become completely unusable.

Another negative aspect in the use of cement grade M500 is its instability to sulfate-containing substances. Therefore, it is better to avoid using this composition in soils containing an increased percentage of minerals and for the construction of foundations in places where groundwater flows close.

Technological features of the M500 brand allow it to be used in construction almost everywhere.

High indicators of frost resistance, hydrophobicity and long service life allow the use of this type of cement at critical facilities:

• in road construction;
• when laying airfields and airports;
• during the construction of structures of a hydraulic nature;
• for any type of monolithic structures;
• for arranging the foundation in harsh natural conditions.

In addition to industrial facilities, the M500 is applicable in the agricultural industry and in residential construction.

With its help, they carry out repair and restoration work, foundations with quick formwork due to their high strength and quick hardening. High quality cement is used in the production of sidewalk tiles.

Some types of concrete fences also require strong and durable cement.

M500 is a part of mixtures for concrete, plaster, masonry and other types of mortars. With its help, reinforced concrete slabs, floors, beams and various other structures are made. It is recommended to choose it for the device of a cement floor screed.

Since cement powder is a purchased and demanded material in the construction market, its production is growing every year, and the list of manufacturers in different countries is only growing.

Company LafardeHolsim formed relatively recently by merging French brand Lafarge and Swiss Holsim... Both manufacturers have long been engaged in the production of high-quality building mixtures, including the 500th Portland cement. Thanks to the merger, they have taken a leading position in the world market and present their products in more than 90 countries. European suppliers are constantly improving production technologies and trying to improve the technical characteristics of cement compositions. The production of sulfate-resistant cement options for work in difficult conditions and on various types of soils is underway. The prices for the products are quite affordable. In many ways, this was achieved by developing the production of building materials on the territory of our country. At the moment, there are two factories in the Moscow and Kaluga regions, representing the holding in our country.

Russia also has its own cement production. The products of the Pikalevsky, Mikhailovsky, Podolsky, Teploozersky, Spassky and Topkinsky plants are known. The product of the company "Eurocement" has gained wide distribution and popularity among buyers. Their products are produced in several cities of Russia. The 500th cement is presented both in the form of an additive-free mixture and in various improved compositions. The prices are not high, so the products may well compete with European counterparts.

The Cemex brand is known all over the world. It is a Mexican company with a century of history. Gradually, they began to expand the marketing of their products and open factories in different countries, including the USA, Europe and Russia. The brand came to our country in 2002. Portland cement M500 is presented in both D0 and D20 modifications. Standard packing of 50 kg, low price and a guarantee of certified manufacturing on high-quality equipment made it very competitive.

In order to independently choose a high-quality composition and apply it correctly, some recommendations must be followed.

• Choose trusted manufacturers. Large firms value the reputation and quality of products, and also have more financial opportunities for proper storage.
• Pay attention to the packaging. The weight of some packs can be 40 or 25 kg instead of the standard 50.
• Check the date of manufacture. It is better to use a composition made no more than a month ago so that it retains its original properties.
• The label must contain complete information on all additives included and standard markings.
• It is not recommended to mix M500 with other brands of cement in order to avoid loss of product quality.

What proportions to take for a cement mortar depends on how you should get the result.

Some general advice is still there.

• The sand for the mixture must be of high quality, homogeneous, sufficiently fine fraction. For this, it is better to sift it first. This ensures that there is no debris.
• Cement with sand must be thoroughly mixed before diluting with water. This guarantees the best homogeneity of the mixture.
• Water is added at the rate of approximately 2 liters per ten kilograms of dry components. The amount may vary depending on the quality of the dry product. It is necessary to dilute gradually, constantly stirring with a construction mixer.
• Do not try to change the proportions of the mortar in order to save money. A thicker mixture dries faster, but its strength and durability will be in question. The liquid solution may not at all acquire the desired solid consistency after drying.
• While the mixture is drying, avoid drafts, changes in humidity and temperatures.

How to fill the floor using M500 cement, see below.