Determination of Calcium Concentration in Different Brands of Portland Cements

Abstract

The strengths of cement are affected by calcium chloride percentage, especially when the cement composition within the range is encountered in commercial portland cement. The various types of cement are different in the amounts present of CaO, MgO, Ca(OH)₂, and Mg(OH)₂. Chemical compositions, among other factors are the most performance of producing a high quality of cement. This study aimed to determine the presence of calcium quantity in four different types of cement and study the calcium effect on its chemical constituents by the gravimetric method and titrimetric method using KMnO₄/ EDTA as per IS:4032. The results showed the DUNCAN has a higher quantity of calcium compares to other types of cement (RAASI, VISHU, MAHA GOLD) which showed less quantity of calcium exist. The high content of calcium present in cement led to rise in the heat and influences the setting time of alkali-activated.  Dicalcium silicate and tetracalcium alumin are the main compounds of portland cement which are responsible for producing a higher heat of hydration, hardness rapidly, and initial set. The uniqueness of this method is a rapid method and gives accurate results in a short interval of time and also avoids the use of a high-temperature muffle furnace.