expanding cement

Expanding cements are a type of cement that slightly expands during hydration. This expansion helps to counteract the minor contraction that occurs when fresh concrete dries for the first time. These cements were first developed in France around 1945. The American version is a blend of portland cement and an expansive agent created by heating a mixture of chalk, bauxite, and gypsum.1

While cements can be used alone as grouting materials, they are typically mixed with inert materials called aggregate to form mortar or concrete. Mortar uses sand or crushed stone, while concrete includes both fine and coarse aggregates. Concrete is a globally prevalent construction material used in a vast array of applications, from dams to roads and prefabricated building components.2