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What is Rapid Set® Cement?
Rapid Set® Cement is an advanced, high-performance, hydraulic cement produced by CTS Cement Manufacturing Corporation. Rapid Set® Cement provides structural strength in one hour, reduced shrinkage, and superior resistance to chemical attack.
Over 200,000 cubic yards of Rapid Set® concrete pavement have been placed in major airports and highways across the United States. In addition, Rapid Set® Cement is blended and packaged into a wide range of high-performance products including non-shrink grout, structural repair mortar, concrete, exterior plaster, and other cementitious products.
The need for a better cement drove the research and development that produced Rapid Set®. portland cement has been the standard for many years but has always had some short falls. It shrinks excessively, can’t be accelerated without negative effects, is susceptible to attack by prevalent chemicals, and reacts destructively with certain aggregates. CTS solved these problems with the development of Rapid Set® Cement.
Rapid Set® Cement is manufactured with similar raw materials, equipment, and processes used to make portland cement. Precise selection and proportioning of the raw materials, many refinements throughout the manufacturing process, and comprehensive quality control, combine to give Rapid Set® superior performance and unique chemistry.
The chemistry of Rapid Set® Cement is primarily composed of hydraulic tetracalcium trialuminate sulfate (C4A3þ) and dicalcium silicate (C2S). The C4A3þ compound, often referred to as calcium sulfoaluminate, hydrates to form beneficial ettringite. Ettringite is a strong, needle-like crystal that forms very quickly to give Rapid Set® its high performance. Another significant aspect of the chemistry is the absence of tricalcium aluminate (C3A). C3A is present in portland cement and makes it susceptible to sulfate attack. The fact that Rapid Set® has little or no C3A makes it very durable in sulfate environments.
When Rapid Set® Cement is used in concrete, it provides superior performance in terms of rapid strength gain, reduced permeability and low shrinkage. Traditionally when fresh concrete is placed, the heavier particles settle and displace the mix water. The water then forms capillaries as it rises to the surface as bleed water. After the concrete has hardened, these capillaries become routes of entry for substances that attack the concrete and reinforcing steel. When Rapid Set® concrete is placed, the ettringite crystals rapidly consume water and create a three dimensional lattice. This stops the settling and displacement process, eliminating capillary formation. The elimination of capillaries reduces permeability, resulting in more durable concrete.
Rapid Set® is more efficient at using mix water than portland cement. This efficiency allows the placement of Rapid Set® concrete in a very workable consistency without the detrimental effect of convenience water. portland cement will consume about half of the mix water, leaving the convenience water to evaporate over time causing drying shrinkage. At modest water-to-cement ratios, Rapid Set® will consume all the water in the mix which greatly reduces drying shrinkage.
Rapid Set® is a highly versatile cement used to formulate mixes for a wide range of applications. Properties, including setting time, fluidity, air content, and color can be adjusted easily using commercially available additives.
Rapid Set® Cement has been proven in service since 1981. Where increased performance is desired, people are turning to Rapid Set® as the solution.
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