The following are the important properties of cement mortar
- When water is added to the dry mixture of cement and sand, hydration of cement starts and it binds sand particles and also the surrounding surfaces of masonry and concrete.
- A mix richer than 1:3 is prone to shrinkage.
- Well proportioned mortar provides impervious surface.
- Leaner mix is not capable of closing the voids in sand and hence the plastered surface is porous.
- The strength of mortar depends upon the proportion of cement and sand. Strengths obtained with various proportion of cement and sand.
Uses of Cement Mortar
Mortar is used
- To bind masonry units like stone, bricks, cement blocks.
- To plaster slab and walls make them impervious.
- To give neat finishing to walls and concrete works.
- For pointing masonry joints.
- For preparing building blocks.
- As a filler material in ferro cement works.
- To fill joints and cracks in walls.
- as a filler material in stone masonry.
