Type IL Cement vs Type II | Which Type of Portland Cement is Better
There are several types of cement can be found and type IL and type II are two of them. Type IL is known as Portland limestone cement whereas type II is known as Moderate Sulfate Resistance cement.
These two cements have nearly the same applications field but they have a few notable differences between them. If you are willing to use the aforementioned cement and confused enough about which one to choose then this article can help you out.
In today’s article, we are here with the differences between type IL and type II cement. So, stay with us till the end and learn about the differences and choose which one you will require.
Differences Between Type IL Cement and Type II Cement
Type IL and type II are two types of Portland cement. As aforementioned that type IL is Portland Limestone cement and type II is moderate sulfate resistance cement. Here we have provided the differences between these two types of cement.
| Parameters | Type IL Cement | Type II Cement |
| Description | Portland Limestone Cement | Moderate Sulfate Resistance |
| Heat of Hydration | Lower | Moderate |
| Sulfate Resistance | Good | Moderate |
| Carbon Emission | Lower | Higher |
| Limestone amount | 5 to 15% | Up to 5% |
Nowadays, people are more focused on the environment, and here, type IL or Portland limestone cement is ahead of all types of cement. It has a lower carbon footprint compared to type II cement. And that’s why type IL is known as green cement.
Another important factor of cement is the limit of the heat of hydration. Cement that has a reduced or lower heat of hydration is considered the best one. Because this type of cement can be used in mass concrete structures, and using them can lower the chances of forming cracks. Between type IL and type II, type IL has a reduced heat of hydration whereas type II has a moderate level. And now, you know which one should be chosen.
Last but not least, is sulfate resistance. Between type IL and type II cement, type IL is more sulfate resistant. Because the limestone of the type IL cement reacts with sulfates and form Calcium Carbonate whereas type II has Calcium Aluminate. Generally, Calcium Carbonate is a more durable compound than Calcium Aluminate and it has more sulfate resistance capability. So, in the soil-containing or water-based area where heat build-up is a concern, there you will be benefitted from using type IL instead of type II cement.
So, here are the key differences between type IL and type II cement. If you are willing to have stronger sulfate-resistant cement with a lesser carbon footprint, and reduced heat of hydration, then type IL or Portland Limestone Cement will be the right cement for you.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers – FAQs
What is the type of IL cement used for?
There are several fields where you can use type IL cement. For example, can be used in concrete masonry units, custom color stucco, drainage structure, precast concrete, and so on.
What is Type II concrete?
Concrete that is prepared with cement type II is known as type II concrete. This type of concrete is used for constructing structures in water or soil-containing area.
Conclusion
To conclude, both type IL and type II are used in water or soil-containing soil. In this type of soil, more sulfate resistance and lower heat of hydration cement need to be used. And between types IL and II, IL is the better one in terms of sulfate resistance and heat of hydration. Now, the choice is yours!
