If you are building some sort of structure that involves concrete or masonry in general, then one of the things that you will undoubtedly have to work with is cement. Now, there are of course different kinds and classifications of this material out there. What we are here to do today is to compare two very common types(which in all reality are very similar), anchoring cement and hydraulic cement.
So, let’s find out what they are, what makes them similar, and what makes them different.
Anchoring and Hydraulic Cement: The Basics
Before we dive into the similarities shared and the differences between anchoring cement and hydraulic cement, let’s first figure out what both of them are.
What Is Anchoring Cement?
Anchoring or anchor cement is a special type of cement that is made by mixing cement, silica sand, and other special additives. What is important to know here, perhaps the most important fact of all, is that anchoring cement is made with Portland cement (usually), and as you will find out below, this makes this comparison quite interesting.
The purpose of anchoring cement is to be a quick-drying cement for the fast setting of railings, machinery, bolts, and other such things into concrete, stone, brick, and masonry in general. In other words, if you need to secure an anchor bolt into concrete, you would use anchoring cement to do so. Another interesting thing to keep in mind here is that anchoring cement is usually also totally waterproof.
What Is Hydraulic Cement?
What can get a bit confusing here is the fact that hydraulic cement is simply a broad term or way of saying that the cement will bind, harden, and cure once mixed with water (most types of cement are like this). In other words, hydraulic cement activates with water. Now, what can get a bit confusing is the fact that Portland cement, the most commonly used type of cement, is a type of hydraulic cement, and yes, as we mentioned above, anchoring cement is made with Portland cement.
As you can probably tell, this is a somewhat difficult comparison to do, because strictly speaking, anchoring cement is a type of hydraulic cement, which means that they share a whole lot of similarities, really everything but their intended purpose.
This is kind of like comparing a hamburger to a cow because both are the same type of meat, but one is more refined than the other, just like anchoring cement is a special or refined version of hydraulic cement.
Similarities of Anchoring and Hydraulic Cement
Now that we know what both anchoring cement and hydraulic cement are, let’s figure out what makes them similar.
1. Both Are Hydraulic in Nature
Both of these types of cement are hydraulic in nature, which means that they come in powder form and are mixed with water. When mixed with water, there is a catalytic reaction that then causes the cement to set, harden, and cure.
2. Both Are Waterproof
One of the defining features of all types of hydraulic cement is that it is waterproof, which is why it is often used for waterproofing applications. While by definition, anchoring cement is designed for anchoring, it is a type of hydraulic cement, and it is indeed also waterproof.
3. Both Can Be DIY
Both of these types of cement can be purchased by your average DIYer and mixed at home for individual use.
Differences Between Anchoring and Hydraulic Cement
Let’s now figure out what makes these two types of cement different.
1. General Purpose
What you need to know here is that hydraulic cement is used for waterproofing purposes, whereas anchoring cement is used to anchor supports and structures into concrete, stone, and masonry. With that being said, hydraulic cement on its own is fairly weak and cannot really be used for all that much, which is why it is usually mixed with sand and other additives, just like what anchor cement is.
2. Possible Expansion
Due to the addition of various compounds into anchoring cement, it generally expands a little bit in order to fill gaps and cracks, thus providing good support for whatever is being anchored.
3. Setting Time
How long these types of cement take to set depends on a variety of factors. Now, normal hydraulic cement tends to set quite fast, but if you get quick setting anchoring cement, then it will set faster.
4. One Can Be Used as Grout
Hydraulic cement alone is not structurally sound and can therefore not really be used for weight-bearing applications, especially for joining masonry and for anchoring, which is why special additives are added to create things like grout, mortar, and yes, anchoring cement.
5. One Bonds to Concrete Much Better
Due to the special additives contained in it, anchoring cement will bond to concrete, whereas normal hydraulic cement will not bond to concrete well.
6. One Is More Rigid Than the Other
Normal hydraulic cement dries very stiff and rigid, thus not making it ideal for anchoring purposes. Concrete moves, it expands, and it shrinks, which would cause something anchored with normal hydraulic cement to come loose over time. Anchoring cement is not quite as rigid, and therefore much better for anchoring purposes, especially where concrete is involved.
Anchoring Cement vs. Hydraulic Cement: Which of the Two Should You Use?
If you are just filling in some spaces and doing waterproofing on various masonry structures, then normal hydraulic cement will do. For anything structural in nature, for anchoring, and for work with concrete, though, it’s anchoring cement that you need.
Summary
We realize that this is a bit of an odd comparison because anchoring cement is made with hydraulic cement, but nonetheless, there you have it folks, everything you need to know about the differences between them.