Difference Between Lime and Cement

Table of Contents

What Is Lime (Hydraulic)?

It is an important binding material used in building construction. Lime has been used as the material of construction from ancient times.

When it is mixed with sand it provides lime mortar and when mixed with sand and coarse aggregate, it forms lime concrete. Lime is a good building material for construction its use in the construction of foundations, walls, plastering, white washing is known to you.

Structures like forts monuments, please, bridges constructed years back stands today in good condition of time. The use of lime has been reduced with the introduction of cement. This is because of cement.

Takes less timer fro setting
Has More Strength
Having desired Properties
Stored for longer periods etc.

Types of Limes

Fat lime:
Hydraulic lime:
Poor lime:

What Is Cement?

Cement is a commonly used binding material in the construction. The cement is obtained by burning a mixture of calcarious (calcium) and argillaceous (clay) material at a very high temperature and then grinding the clinker so produced to a fine powder.

It was first produced by a mason Joseph Aspdin in England in 1924. He patented it as portland cement.

Different Types of Cement

Sr.No.	Type of Cement
1	Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC)
2	Portland Slag Cement
3	Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC)
4	Coloured Cement/White Cement
5	Sulphate Resisting Cement
6	Low Heat Portland Cement
7	Rapid Hardening Cement
8	Hydrophobic Portland Cement
9	Extra Rapid Hardening Cement
10	Quick Setting Cement
11	Super Sulphated Cement
12	Portland Pozzolana Cement (Fly ash based)
13	Portland Pozzolana Cement (Calcined based)
14	Air Entraining Cement
15	Masonry Cement
16	Expansive Cement
17	Oil Well Cement
18	Rediset Cement
19	Concrete Sleeper Grade Cement
20	High Alumina Cement
21	Very High Strength Cement

Sr.No.	Detail	Lime (Hydraulic)	Cement
1	Slaking	Hydraulic lime is available in quick from. Slaking of hydraulic lime is necessary before its use. Process of slaking takes considerable time construction work is delayed.	For cement slaking is not necessary it can be used directly as and when required. No delay in construction.
2	Setting	Hydraulic lime contains silicates and aluminates of calcium and oxides of iron. There compounds are hydrated during setting and from the intricate crystalline structure. This action is similar to cement. Due to this phenomenon, hydraulic lime sets under water. Calcium oxide of hydraulic lime is converted to calcium carbonate which is a hard substance and which acts as a binder. It sets slowly hence delays the construction process.	Four important compounds C3SC2SC3A and C4AF take part in setting C3A (Tricalcium Aluminate) as soon as the water is added hydrolysis starts. To allow for a time of mixing. for transportation and proper placing 2 to 3 % gypsum is added to the cement. C3A causes an early setting of cement with a generation of a lot of heat, which is not desirable. Its action gets complete in 28 hours.(Remember setting is not hardening to setting means changing from plastic stage to solid stage) C3S (Tri calcium Silicate) is next to set and harden. It gives early strength. C2S (Dicalcium Silicate) Its reaction is slow. Hardening starts after 7 days and continues up to one year. C4AF (Tetra Calcium Alumina Fluorite) This is in active and does not play any role in setting. It takes less time for setting hence progress of construction is not delayed.
3	Binding	Hydraulic lime posses binding property and eminently hydraulic lime can be used as cement. However, its binding strength is much less than cement. As per the classification of National building code lime mortar having, 1(Eminently hydraulic lime) :2 or 3(sand) proportion possesses compressive strength of 2 N/mm² Hydraulic lime can not be used for binding reinforcement in cement.	Cement prosses strong binding properties compared to lime. As per the classification of national building code cement mortar having 1:6 (Cement)(sand)proportion possesses compressive strength of 3 N/mm² Cement can be used for binding reinforcement in concrete.

FAQ

Lime vs Cement

Lime hardens much more slowly than cement-containing mortars, making it much more workable. Lime is also less brittle and less prone to cracking, and any cracked areas can absorb carbon dioxide and mend over time. The cement hardens very quickly, but may be too strong for some applications, e.g., working with old bricks.

Lime Concrete in Foundation

Lime concrete is very widely used for foundation bases of load bearing walls, columns, and under layers of floors. Due to its flexibility it adjusts very well with the underneath base ground and upper construction of cement base. For better quality of lime concrete it is important to compact & cure concrete properly.

Hydrated Lime Mortar

Hydrated lime is the type of lime most widely used as a component in mortars and renders. Hydrated lime, and quicklime (see below) are commonly referred to as ‘air lime’ products. This is because they do not react with the water in the mix to form a ‘set’.

Difference Between Lime and Cement

Lime hardens much more slowly than cement-containing mortars, making it much more workable. Lime is also less brittle and less prone to cracking, and any cracked areas can absorb carbon dioxide and mend over time. Cement hardens very quickly, but may be too strong for some applications, e.g.

Why Add Lime to Cement?

Incorporating an appropriate proportion of hydrated lime into a cement-based mixture improves plasticity and workability, making the product easier to handle on the trowel. Hydrated lime also increases water retention which helps to improve the contact and bond with the substrate.

Percentage of Lime in Cement

The cement contains 35 to 40 percent lime, 40 to 50 percent alumina, up to 15 percent iron oxides, and preferably not more than about 6 percent silica. The principal cementing compound is calcium aluminate (CaO · Al₂O₃).

Portland Cement Sand and Lime Mix Ratio

This Portland Cement-Lime Mix, when mixed with 1:2¼ to 1:3½ cubic feet of sand meeting ASTM C144 Specifications, will produce a mortar that meets the property specification requirements of ASTM C270 for Type N, Type S, or Type M portland cement-lime mortar (Table 1). Machine mixing should be used whenever possible.

How Much Lime to Add to Mortar Mix?

Mix in 1 part lime. Followed by 1.5 parts sand. Mix dry for at least 5 minutes. After 5 minutes slowly add water until the desired consistency is reached, it is very important not to drown the mix by adding too much water.

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