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IS 3466:1988 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for masonry cement – specification. This standard covers the manufacture, physical, and chemical requirements of masonry cement, which is formulated with plasticizing materials to yield highly workable mortars for brickwork, blockwork, and plastering.
Masonry cement – Specification
Overview
Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Materials Science — Cement, Concrete, Aggregates and RCC
Consolidated list per BIS. For the text of each amendment, refer to the BIS portal link above.
masonry cementcementmortarmasonry
International Equivalents
Similar International Standards
ASTM C91 / C91M-22ASTM International, USA
HighCurrent
Standard Specification for Masonry Cement
Specifies requirements for three types of masonry cement for use in mortar for masonry construction.
EN 413-1:2011European Committee for Standardization (CEN), Europe
HighCurrent
Masonry cement - Part 1: Composition, specifications and conformity criteria
Defines and gives the specifications for masonry cements for use in mortar for masonry.
CSA A3002-18CSA Group, Canada
HighCurrent
Masonry and Mortar Cement
Specifies requirements for masonry cement and mortar cement for use in masonry mortars.
AS 3972:2010 (R2020)Standards Australia, Australia
MediumCurrent
General purpose and blended cements
Covers a broad range of cements, including masonry cement (Type M), rather than being exclusively for it.
Key Differences
≠IS 3466 specifies a single type of masonry cement, whereas ASTM C91 defines three types (N, S, M) and EN 413-1 has multiple strength classes (e.g., MC 5, MC 12.5, MC 22.5) based on compressive strength.
≠The specimen for compressive strength testing differs: IS 3466 uses 70.6 mm cubes, while ASTM C91 uses 50 mm (2-inch) cubes and EN 413-1 uses 40x40x160 mm prisms (tested in compression).
≠IS 3466 is more prescriptive regarding fineness, requiring a minimum of 400 m²/kg (Blaine). In contrast, standards like ASTM C91 and EN 413-1 are more performance-based and do not specify a minimum fineness value, relying on other tests to control particle size.
≠The test for soundness (volumetric stability) is different. IS 3466 uses the Le Chatelier method (max 10 mm expansion), similar to EN 413-1, but ASTM C91 uses the Autoclave expansion test (max 1.0% expansion).
Key Similarities
≈All standards define a factory-produced hydraulic cement blend intended specifically for making masonry mortar, not for use in structural concrete.
≈A mandatory requirement across all standards is the inclusion of an air-entraining agent to improve mortar workability, plasticity, and freeze-thaw durability.
≈All standards specify minimum requirements for water retention, a critical property to prevent the mortar from drying out too quickly when in contact with absorbent masonry units.
≈The core performance characteristics evaluated are consistent: compressive strength, water retention, setting time, and soundness, forming the basis for cement acceptance.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Compressive Strength, 7 days
≥ 2.5 MPa
≥ 3.4 MPa (500 psi)
ASTM C91 (Type N)
Compressive Strength, 28 days
4.0 to 8.0 MPa
5.0 to 10.0 MPa
EN 413-1 (Class MC 5)
Water Retention
≥ 70%
≥ 70%
ASTM C91
Air Content of Mortar
8% to 15%
8% to 19%
ASTM C91 (Type N)
Soundness (Le Chatelier Expansion)
≤ 10 mm
≤ 10 mm
EN 413-1
Fineness (Blaine)
≥ 400 m²/kg
Not specified; controlled indirectly by performance tests.
ASTM C91 / EN 413-1
Initial Setting Time
≥ 90 minutes
≥ 90 minutes
ASTM C91
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use