Construction refers to the action of building something, typically a big structure. It is the most widely undertaken activity in the world. It facilitates the creation of residential, industrial, and commercial spaces that make life possible in several ways. A number of things go into making a construction project possible, from a significant amount of building materials to innumerable hours of labour work.  

Cement is the most common building material. It acts as a binding agent, allowing you to create a solid concrete foundation and achieve flawless masonry. It is also used to manufacture pre-cast concrete products. Cement is available in three main types: Ordinary Portland Cement, Portland Pozzolana Cement, and Portland Slag Cement. Let us explore what is PSC Cement.  

What is PSC Cement?  

PSC is a type of blended cement made by replacing a certain proportion of OPC with Granulated Blast Furnace Slag, a non-metallic by-product of smelting ores. The cement boasts unwavering strength and durability and showcases chemical resistance, making it suitable for mass-concrete structures and marine works. Here are the finer characteristics of PSC Cement: 

  • Initial setting time – It is the time the cement takes to start losing its plasticity. PSC has an initial setting time of 30 minutes (minimum).  
  • Final setting time – It is the time the cement takes to completely lose its plasticity. The PSC has a final setting time of 10 hours (maximum). This means you do not have to wait for an extended period of time to move forward with the next construction step.  
  • Comprehensive strength – It indicates the cement's capacity to withstand load without cracking or deflecting. This is a very important aspect as it impacts the structure's integrity. PSC has a comprehensive strength of 16 MPa, 22 MPa, and 33 MPa at 72,168, and 672 hours of curing.  
  • Fineness – It is the cement particle size. It impacts the cement's workability and coverage age. PSC has a fineness of less than 225 m2/kg, which means it has incredible workability and coverage potential.  
  • Soundness – This term describes the change in the cement's volume once it is set and hardened. PSC shall have soundness of not more than 10mm and 0.8%, which means there is minimal scope for crack development.  

What are the benefits of using PSC?  

  • As mentioned, PSC cement is made by replacing some proportion of OPC with slag. A by-product is repurposed. This makes the cement a sustainable building material.  
  • PSC cement price is fair, which means you can source the required quantity of cement without compromising on your affordability.  
  • The cement showcases strength, durability, and chemical resistance, letting you build hydraulic structures such as bridges that can stand the test of time.