Cement is a mineral that, when combined with water and sand reacts to form a mortar or concrete (if gravel is also added).
The cement mineral itself is a combination of Calcium (CaO), Silica (SiO2), Aluminium (Al2O3) and Iron (Fe203) that has been mixed together and heated to over 1500 ℃
Cement has been used in building construction for over 2000 years with the production of cement believed to have been developed by the Ancient Macedonians who used a mixture of burnt lime and volcanic ash to produce a cement.
The technology was adopted by Roman Engineers some three centuries later, and the Romans utilised this “new” material extensively across Europe in the construction of aqueducts, colosseums and other buildings. The roof of the Pantheon in Rome, constructed between 118 and 128 AD is one of the oldest known concrete structures still standing.
Across the middle ages cement production continued on a very small scale, with cement being used by many masons in the construction of bridges and cathedrals and by military engineers in the construction of harbours and fortresses.
The technology and process of cement production remained largely unchanged for nearly 2000 years, and it was not until the Industrial Revolution, that a more efficient production technology emerged.
Across the period of 1800 to 1850 there was rapid development in the area of Cement Technology, with “modern cement” first produced in a kiln in 1825. Across the 1800’s all cement was produced in small batches, however by 1885 a continuous manufacturing process for Cement Production was developed, which has formed the basis of the modern production process.