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To this day, it is still common for some people to use the terms “concrete” and “cement” interchangeably. Although both are closely related in the construction field, they are not the same. If you’ve ever wondered what the difference is between concrete and cement, you’ve come to the right place!

What is concrete?

Concrete, also known in some regions as concrete, is a mixture composed mainly of cement, water and aggregates. These aggregates can be fine, such as sand, or coarse, such as stones or gravel. This combination, once mixed and poured into a mold, hardens over time, forming a solid and resistant mass.

Concrete is widely used in construction due to its strength, durability and versatility. It can be adapted to different shapes and strengths depending on the proportion of its components. Thus, we find concrete in infrastructures such as bridges, buildings, roads and dams.

What is cement?

Cement, on the other hand, is a fine powder obtained from the calcination of limestone and clay materials. This powder, when mixed with water, has the ability to set and harden. Cement acts as a glue, binding other materials together.

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The most common type of cement is Portland cement, which is used in most concrete mixes. However, there are other types of cement used for specific purposes, such as white cement, sulfate-resistant cement, or aluminate cement.

Differences between concrete and cement

Having understood what each one is, it is time to clarify the difference between concrete and cement.

Composition

While cement is a single component, concrete is a mixture of several materials. That is, cement is one of the ingredients of concrete. By adding water to cement, a paste is produced, which, when mixed with aggregates, forms concrete.

Use and application

Cement, being a powder, is mainly used as a binder in different mixtures, not only in concrete. On the other hand, concrete, thanks to its strength and durability, is used as a structural material in construction. When you see a column, a slab or a sidewalk, what you are looking at is concrete, not cement.

Properties

Concrete gains its strength from the chemical reaction between cement and water, a process called hydration. Cement alone, once mixed with water, can harden, but it will not have the same strength as concrete due to the absence of aggregates. Aggregates in concrete give it greater density and strength.

Variations

There are different types of cement (Portland, white, aluminous, among others) depending on their components and intended uses and, as for concrete, there are also variations, such as reinforced concrete (which incorporates steel bars) or prestressed concrete (which uses tensioned cables).

As you can see, although cement and concrete are intrinsically related, they are different materials with different properties and uses. Cement acts as a binding agent, while concrete is a composite material used in large structures due to its strength and durability. The next time you hear or use these terms, you’ll know the difference between concrete and cement!

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