Cement Testing

IS 4031 (all parts) / IS 269

Cement is a binder that sets, hardens and adheres to other materials, binding sand and gravel (aggregate) together. It is used with fine aggregate to produce mortar for masonry, and with sand and coarse aggregate to produce concrete. Cements used in construction are usually inorganic, often lime or calcium-silicate based, and are characterised as hydraulic or non-hydraulic depending on their ability to set in the presence of water.

We test to the IS 4031 series: fineness (by sieve and by Blaine air permeability), standard consistency, initial and final setting time, soundness (Le Chatelier and autoclave methods) and compressive strength.

Tests in this category

Standard Consistency of Cement

Water content required to give a cement paste a standard penetration resistance, using the Vicat apparatus.

IS 4031 (Part 4)

Initial Setting Time of Cement

Time from adding water until the paste starts to lose plasticity, measured with the Vicat needle.

IS 4031 (Part 5)

Final Setting Time of Cement

Time from adding water until the paste has fully hardened, measured with the Vicat annular attachment.

IS 4031 (Part 5)

Compressive Strength of Cement (Mortar Cubes)

Strength of standard cement-sand mortar cubes tested at 3, 7 and 28 days.

IS 4031 (Part 6)