Difference Between Lime and Cement

Table of Contents

Before knowing the difference between Lime and Cement; we have to know about lime and cement.

Lime is a calcium product that is composed of calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide.

It is the civil engineering material that is used for binding two or more mineral materials.

It has many qualities like compressive strength, workability, setting time, etc. So, it is mostly used as an alternative to cement.

Lime is mostly used for the preparation of lime concrete, lime mortar and sometimes used as lime ghola (a mixture of lime + water).

Cement is the binding material that is composed of calcium, silicon, aluminium, iron and many other materials.

It is mostly used as a binding material throughout the world because of its qualities like high compressive strength, setting time, etc.

Cement is mostly used in the preparation of cement mortar, cement concrete and cement ghola (a mixture of cement + water)

The difference between lime and cement is:

S.N.	Lime	Cement
1	It is less prone to cracking.	It is more prone to cracking.
2	It is less brittle.	It is more brittle.
3	It is white or greyish in colour.	It is greenish-grey in colour.
4	It slakes when wetted with water.	It does not slake when wetted with water.
5	It sets slowly when mixed with water.	It sets rapidly when mixed with water.
6	It delays the construction.	No delay in construction as compared to lime.
7	It possesses less strength.	It possesses high strength.
8	It allows vapour to pass through.	It does not allow vapour to escape.
9	It helps to reduce moisture and improve the environment of the home.	It can absorb water causing moisture to accumulate especially in the basement.
10	Its production does not cause global warming like cement.	Its production greatly leads to global warming.
11	It has less embodied energy than cement.	It has embodied energy.
12	It is possible to manufacture lime on a small scale.	It is impossible to manufacture cement on a small scale.
13	Its binding strength is less compared to cement.	It has strong binding properties than lime.
14	Lime hardens slowly when mixed in producing mortar.	The cement hardens quickly when mixed in a mortar.
15	It cannot be used for important and heavy engineering structures.	It can be used for important and heavy engineering structures.
16	It is cheaper.	It is expensive.

In terms of cost and environment; lime is best. It doesn’t lead to the production of harmful gases and contributes to controlling global warming.

It is also possible to produce lime in small quantities. Hence, it is also economical to produce.

In terms of strength, durability and other qualities; cement is best because it poses high strength and good binding.

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