White cement and its application

White cement is a popular choice for a variety of construction and decorative projects because of its distinctive qualities and attractive appearance. White cement, in contrast to conventional grey cement, is distinguished by its pure white color, which is attained through meticulous raw material and production process selection.

White cement’s adaptability is one of its key benefits. It can be applied in many different ways, from making beautiful architectural finishes to making ornamental items like sculptures and garden decorations. Because of its vibrant color, it’s also perfect for projects that want to look sleek and contemporary.

Furthermore, white cement provides the same strength and longevity as its grey counterpart, guaranteeing the longevity and robustness of structures constructed with it. Because of this, it can be used in residential, commercial, or public spaces, both indoors and outdoors.

Comprehending the advantages and uses of white cement can be beneficial for both professional and do-it-yourself builders, as it will enable you to accomplish the best outcomes for your projects. White cement opens up a world of possibilities in construction and decoration, from enhancing the beauty of buildings to creating intricate designs.

Production technology

The clinker used to make white cement is made from raw materials that have the fewest amount of "coloring" compounds, such as Fe, Cr, and Mn oxides. The three primary ingredients of clinker are marble, white limestone, and kaolin.

The technology utilized to produce white binder is essentially the same as that utilized to produce regular "gray" cement. It is somewhat complex, though, because of the various features, and it goes through the following stages:

• Enrichment of raw materials by sequential crushing and processing in screens using dry or wet technology. During this operation, unwanted accidentally introduced "coloring" impurities are extracted from the raw materials.
• Firing of raw materials in rotary kilns operating on natural gas or fuel oil (ashless heat carriers). Due to the virtually zero presence of iron oxide, the liquid phase of white cement clinker is formed at higher temperatures than the liquid phase of conventional binder clinker, and is characterized by increased viscosity and a small temperature differential between melting and hardening. Therefore, raw materials for white cement are fired at a temperature of 1620-1650 degrees Celsius.
• Bleaching of clinker. The technical meaning of the operation is to restore the iron oxide (Fe 2 O 3 ) present in the finished clinker, which gives the material a greenish tint, to (Fe 3 O 4 ), which has a small coloring ability.

The remaining steps, which include packing the finished cement, conducting laboratory testing, and grinding the clinker, are all comparable to the processes used to make regular cement.

White cement is a special kind of cement used in artistic and architectural endeavors, valued for its purity of color and adaptability. Because of its clear, bright appearance, it is perfect for decorative pieces where aesthetics are important, like terrazzo floors, sculptures, and high-end building facades. White cement also mixes strength and style in a seamless manner for infrastructure projects that require both long-term use and a beautiful finish.

Main characteristics

The qualities of white "binder" should be compared to those of gray cement, which is a different kind of "binder" intended for general applications.

• Increased frost resistance from 100 freeze-thaw cycles.
• High level of moisture resistance, allowing the use of white cement products in any weather conditions.
• Minimum period of setting and gaining grade strength. 15 hours after pouring, the solution based on white cement gains 65% of the grade strength, and final hardening occurs within 72 hours.
• The main consumer characteristic is a high coefficient of light reflection, which determines the decorative and aesthetic appearance of products and structures.
• The degree of light reflection (whiteness) regulates the composition of clinker. Regulatory documents distinguish three grades of material depending on the ability to reflect light rays: 1 grade 80% (minimum coefficient of light reflection in percent of the absolute reflection scale), 2-75%, 3-70%. The grade of the binder is indicated in its designation on the packaging or accompanying documents.

GOST 965-89 provides the following example of a white cement designation: white Portland cement 2-400-D20. Where "400" denotes the compressive strength of 400 kgf/cm2, "D20" denotes the maximum amount of additives (20%), and "2" denotes the degree of whiteness.

Simultaneously, GOST 965-89 separates two grades: 400 and 500, according to the degree of whiteness 1, 2, and 3 grade, and the content of additives without additives (D0) and with additives no more than 20% (D20), based on the compressive strength of solutions based on white cements at the "age" of 28 days after pouring.

Where white cement is used

Nowadays, practically all building sites and facilities that produce reinforced concrete use white binder. Sometimes it is the only option available and its use is specified in technical documentation.

Due to its distinctive decorative quality and quick hardening, this building material is utilized in the following areas:

• Facade finishing of low-rise buildings.
• Production of structural reinforced concrete products: paving slabs, stair steps, facing stone, etc.
• Production of decorative and artistic products: sculptures, products for decorating facades, plant pots, balusters and railings, fences of various types, etc.
• Production of dry plaster mixes, adhesives and dry cement-lime mortars for finishing.

It is important to note that white cement is frequently used to cast sculptures or other décor because it is the only choice that is suitable in terms of both whiteness and the ability to use these products outside without the need for extra safety precautions.

Instructions for use

You should abide by specific guidelines and closely follow the directions on the packaging when using white binder at home. Since white cement is a unique kind of cement, using it calls for adherence to a few basic but essential guidelines:

• Tools, formwork, concrete mixer, pouring molds, in other words, everything that will come into contact with the surface of the material being prepared and the poured structure must be absolutely clean.
• The fillers and the binder (water) must also be perfectly clean and not contain any impurities that can change the color of the solution.
• If the pouring conditions provide for reinforcement with steel elements, they are first covered (smeared) with a layer of concrete several millimeters thick.
• A colored solution made of white cement should not contain more than 5% of coloring pigment.
• Do not add an increased amount of sand to the solution. This “muffles” its color qualities and reduces the plasticity of the solution.

Like regular cement, white cement needs to be diluted with one part binder, three parts pure sand, and five to seven parts clean water.

Domestic and foreign manufacturers of white cement

The majority of white cement used in construction is imported. Holcim Rus LLC, formerly Shchurovsky Cement OJSC, is the only company in the Russian Federation that produces white Portland cement without additives BPC 2-400-D0 and white Portland cement without additives BPC 1-500-D0. The following table provides a summary of the primary suppliers of white cement to assist buyers:

The table illustrates this clearly: the price of both domestic and imported white cement is much higher than that of its "gray" counterpart. The prices are derived from publicly available sources and are subject to change. This is the main drawback of white binder, and it is something that needs to be considered when organizing and completing building and finishing projects.

In the construction industry, white cement stands out as a special and adaptable material. It is a great option for a range of applications, from decorative finishes to structural elements, thanks to its unique color and qualities. Whether you’re working on elaborate sculptures or sophisticated facades, white cement can help you accomplish a polished and tidy appearance.

White cement’s aesthetic appeal is one of its main benefits. It offers a brilliant, reflective surface that amplifies any project’s visual impact. This makes it perfect for road markings, tiles, and architectural features alike. It also provides the same strength and longevity as conventional gray cement, guaranteeing the beauty and longevity of your projects.

Regarding its application, white cement is also very adaptable. It can be combined with pigments to produce a vast array of colors, enabling the creation of unique finishes and designs. White cement’s versatility guarantees that it can satisfy the requirements of different construction projects, from contemporary interiors to historical restorations.

All things considered, white cement is an excellent material with both practical and decorative advantages. Many architects and builders favor it because of its capacity to blend strength and beauty. Regardless of your preference for a smooth, contemporary appearance or a delicate, elegant touch, white cement offers the adaptability and durability needed to realize your ideas.

Video on the topic

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