What Is The Difference Between Cement and Concrete?

A common question from those looking for concrete services is often questioning the difference between cement and concrete. Many people use the terms interchangeably, but they aren’t actually the same thing. Cement is actually the “glue” that binds aggregates, or granular materials like gravel, sand, crushed stone and even recycled concrete together to form concrete. Believe it or not, concrete is the second most consumed material in the world next to water!

Concrete is a mixture of aggregates, water and cement. Four essential elements are needed to make cement. They are Calcium, Silicon, Aluminum and Iron. When water is added to cement, it triggers a chemical process that allows it to harden. A concrete mix consists of more than 60% aggregates, and about 10 to 15% cement, and through a process called hydration, the cement and water harden to bind the aggregates into a concrete mass.

Believe it or not, the process of using cement substances to bind materials together has been traced back to Ancient Macedonia and the Roman Empire. Some of the earliest forms of cement consisted of volcanic ash, and were used by the Romans to construct massive structures like the Pantheon.

Concrete’s high rock content makes it extremely durable, and can be used to create buildings that last for over 100 years. It is commonly used in swimming pool decking, skyscrapers, subways, and lamp posts, as well as sidewalks, driveways, and roads. The ingredients in both concrete and cement are among the most abundant on Earth, and both can be recycled.

Cement is just part of the recipe, so it’s easy to see why some people would use the terms “cement” and “concrete” interchangeably. The concrete produced in Bedrock Industries’ Orlando Ready Mix concrete plant can any mix design your job requires.  Our Ready Mix concrete has greater consistency, super homogeneous mix, greater hydration, and better admixture utilization, you will notice the difference. To learn more about our products today, contact us at (407) 859-1300.