Cement is a fundamental construction material known for its binding properties. It acts as a key ingredient that, when mixed with water, undergoes a chemical process allowing it to harden and bond other materials together. While cement alone is rarely used in building, it plays a critical role in creating mortar—when combined with fine aggregates such as sand—and in producing concrete when mixed with both sand and gravel. Among all building materials, cement is the most widely used globally, second only to water in terms of overall consumption. Most construction-grade cements are inorganic, typically derived from lime or calcium silicate compounds. These cements are generally classified into two main types: hydraulic, which can set and harden even under water, and non-hydraulic, which require dry conditions to cure effectively.
