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Difference between 43 grade cement and 53 grade cement

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The choice of cement is necessary when you are ready to construct your new home. You verify not only the price, but you check on the quality of cement. First you have to see whether you are going to go with OPC cement or PPC cement. If you are choosing OPC cement for your construction, you need to choose whether you are going with 43 grade OPC cement or 53 grade OPC cement.

The specifications for 43 grade OPC cement and 53 grade cement are different. Indian standard IS: 8112 gives specification for 43 grade OPC cement whereas IS: 12269 gives the specifications for 53 grade OPC cement.


Some of the differences between the 43 grade cement and 53 grade cement has been covered in the table below

What do 53 stands for in 53 grade cement?

The number 53 in 53 grade cement means that the 28 days’ strength of a cement should be equal to 53MPa or more.

What does 43 stands for in 43 grade cement?

As like the explanation for 53 grade cement, the number 43 in 43 grade cement means that the 28 days’ strength of a cement should be equal to 43MPa.

However, the final strength of both the cement should turn out the same.


Difference between 43 grade OPC cement and 53 Grade OPC cement 

 

Characteristics of 43 Grade OPC cement

Characteristics of 53 Grade OPC cement

Chemical Composition

The Ratio of percentage of lime to percentages of silica, 0.66-1.02 alumina and iron oxide, when calculated by the formula:

CaO-0.7SO3/(2.8SiO2+1.2Al2O3+0.65Fe2O3) ranges from 0.66 to 1.02

The Ratio of percentage of lime to percentages of silica, 0.66-1.02 alumina and iron oxide, when calculated by the formula:

CaO-0.7SO3/(2.8SiO2+1.2Al2O3+0.65Fe2O3) ranges from 0.8 to 1.02

IS Code

IS: 8112

IS:12269

3 Days Compressive Strength at 27 Degree Celcius

23 N/mm2

27 N/mm2

7 Days Compressive Strength at 27 Degree Celcius

33 N/mm2

37 N/mm2

28 Days Compressive Strength at 27 Degree Celcius

43 N/mm2

53 N/mm2

Heat of Hydration

The heat of hydration is less as compared to 43 grade OPC cement

The heat of hydration is more than 43 grade OPC cement

Gain of Strength

The gain of strength continues after 28 days

The gain of strength doesn’t continue after 28 days because of early strength gain

Appearance of Micro-crack

There is very less to no probability of occurrence of micro-cracks

There is high probability of occurrence of micro-cracks because of high heat of hydration.

Curing

Normal curing process at site practice is O.K.

The curing procedure should be more frequent.

Price

The price of 43 grade OPC cement is cheaper than 53 grade OPC cement.

The price of 53 grade OPC cement is expensive than that of 43 grade OPC cement. You might be interested to know the exact price range of cement in 2023.

Uses with respect to strength

Useful for making concrete of grade from M20 to M30.

This is useful for making concrete of grade above M30.

Uses at different places

Plastering, tiling, flooring, Brick & stone masonry, pathways, finishing of all types of buildings, roads, culverts and water retaining structures.

 

 High rise buildings and industrial works. RCC structures like beam, column, slab and footing. Precast items like pavements, blocks, tiles, pipes, poles and railway sleepers. Cement grouts, cold weather concreting and instant plugging.

 

Loss on ignition (Percentage by mass)

The loss on ignition percentage by the mass of cement should not be more than 5 percent.

The loss on ignition percentage by the mass of cement should not be more than 4 percent.

Time of Curing

43 grade OPC cement has a longer curing time.

53 grade OPC cement has a shorter curing time because it gains early strength and strength after 28 days doesn’t go so high.

Cost and Saving

The cost of the 43 grade OPC cement is lower than that of 53 grade OPC cement, however, the mix design demands more amount of cement for grades more than M30 and is not economical.

The cost of 53 grade OPC cement is higher than that of 43 grade cement. For mix designs of strength higher than M30, it saves 10% of the cost as compared to the cost when 43 grade OPC cement is used.

Uses in climates

43 grade OPC cement is preferred to be used in hot climate.

Because of high heat of hydration, 53 grade OPC cement must be used for construction in cold climates.

 

You might get some of the features of the OPC cement in PPC cement as well. You can read about the difference between OPC cement and PPC cement to make your ultimate choice of cement. 

Cement like Hongshi Cement can be found in both 43 grade and 53 grade.

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