Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) is graded according to their strength. The grade indicates the compression strength (mpa) of the concrete that will attain after 28 days of setting.



1. 33 GRADE CEMENT

Compression Strength:

                                               Cement grade indicates the compression strength of the cement concrete after 28 days of setting. 33 Grade Cement attains compression strength of 33 mpa (mega pascals) in 28 days of setting

Initial Strength:

                            33 Grade attains 16 mpa in 3 days, 22 mpa in 7 days.

Uses & Application:

                             This cement is used for general civil construction work under normal environmental conditions. It can be used for plastering and single storeyed individual houses.
Due to low compressive strength, this cement is normally not used where high grade of concrete viz, M-20 and above is required. The availability of higher grades of OPC in the market are affecting the use of 33 grade OPC and now a days 43 grade OPC is normally used for general construction work instead of 33 grade OPC.

IS code:

IS 269: Specification for Ordinary Portland Cement, 33 Grade

2. 43 GRADE CEMENT

Compression Strength:

                                                        Cement grade indicates the compression strength of the cement concrete after 28 days of setting. 43 Grade Cement attains compression strength of 43 mpa (mega pascals) in 28 days of setting compared to 53 mpa attained by 53 Grade cement.

Initial Strength:

                            43 Grade attains 23 mpa in 3 days, 33 mpa in 7 days.

Uses & Application:

43 Grade OPC Cement are commonly used for plastering works, Non-RCC structures, pathways etc where initial setting time is not of importance.
The 43 grade OPC can be used for following applications:
› General Civil Engineering construction work
› RCC works(preferably where grade of concrete is up to M-30)
› Precast items such as blocks, tiles, pipes etc
› Asbestos products such as sheets and pipes
› Non-structural works such as plastering, flooring etc.

IS code:

IS 8112: 1989 (Reaffirmed 2005) “Specification for 43 grade ordinary Portland cement.”

3.    53 GRADE CEMENT

Compression Strength:

Cement grade indicates the compression strength of the cement concrete after 28 days of setting. 53 Grade Cement attains compression strength of 53 mpa (mega pascals) in 28 days of setting.

Initial Strength:

53 Grade cement are used for fast paced construction were initial strength is to be achieved quickly. 53 Grade cement has fast setting compared to 43 grade cement.
33 Grade attains 27 mpa in 3 days, 37 mpa in 7 days.

Uses & Application:

53 Grade OPC can be used for the following applications.
› RCC works (Preferably where grade of concrete is M-25 and above)
› Precast concrete items such as paving blocks, tiles building blocks etc.
› Prestressed concrete components
› Runways, concrete Roads, Bridges etc.

IS code:

IS 12269: 1987 (Reaffirmed 2008) “Specification for 53 grade ordinary Portland cement.”
Brands
Birla Cement, Ultratech Cement, ACC Cement, Zuari Cement, Coramandel Cement, Ramco Cement, Dalmia Cement are some of the well known brands in Southern India.