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IS 6909:1990 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for super sulphated cement - specification. This standard lays down the manufacturing and testing requirements for super sulphated cement. This cement is characterized by its high resistance to chemical attack, especially from sulphates, making it ideal for marine construction and foundations in aggressive soil conditions.
Specifies requirements for super sulphated cement, suitable for marine works and sulphate-aggressive environments.
! Super sulphated cement exhibits slower strength gain compared to OPC, particularly at lower temperatures, which requires careful consideration during formwork removal planning.
! It has a low heat of hydration, making it very suitable for mass concrete pours to control thermal cracking.
! The resulting concrete has a characteristic lighter or whitish colour compared to concrete made with OPC.
Consolidated list per BIS. For the text of each amendment, refer to the BIS portal link above.
super sulphated cementcementgranulated blast furnace slagcalcium sulphatesulphate resistant cement
International Equivalents
Similar International Standards
EN 15743:2010+A1:2015CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
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Supersulfated cement - Composition, specifications and conformity criteria
Directly specifies the composition, requirements, and conformity for supersulfated cement in Europe.
BS 4248:1974BSI (British Standards Institution), UK
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Specification for supersulphated cement
Historically provided UK specifications for supersulphated cement, now aligned with the European standard.
DIN 4210-1:1990DIN (Deutsches Institut für Normung), Germany
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Cement with special properties; Sulphate slag cement and Portland blast-furnace slag cement with high sulphate resistance; Composition, requirements, proof of conformity
Covered 'Sulfathüttenzement' (sulphate slag cement), the German equivalent of supersulphated cement.
Key Differences
≠IS 6909 specifies a single strength grade, whereas EN 15743 uses a strength class system (e.g., 32,5 N, 42,5 N) which defines both minimum early and 28-day strengths.
≠The minimum required Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GBFS) content is higher in EN 15743 (≥75%) compared to IS 6909 (≥70%).
≠IS 6909 mandates a minimum fineness (Blaine) of 400 m²/kg, while EN 15743 treats fineness as a manufacturer-declared value to achieve performance rather than a strict prescriptive limit.
≠The maximum permissible soundness (Le Chatelier expansion) is stricter in IS 6909 (≤ 5 mm) compared to EN 15743 (≤ 10 mm).
Key Similarities
≈Both standards define supersulphated cement based on the same primary constituents: a high proportion of granulated blast furnace slag, a calcium sulphate source, and a small amount of an activator like Portland cement clinker.
≈The minimum initial setting time is identical in both standards (≥ 60 minutes), ensuring adequate time for placing and finishing concrete.
≈Compressive strength testing at 28 days is a fundamental requirement for acceptance in both IS 6909 and EN 15743, with comparable minimum values for the base grades.
≈Both standards limit the maximum amount of Portland cement clinker to 5%, which is critical for maintaining the cement's characteristic high sulphate resistance and low heat of hydration.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GBFS) Content
≥ 70%
≥ 75%
EN 15743:2010
Portland Cement Clinker Content
≤ 5.0%
≤ 5.0%
EN 15743:2010
Compressive Strength (28 days)
≥ 30 MPa
≥ 32.5 MPa (for Class 32,5 N)
EN 15743:2010
Initial Setting Time
≥ 60 minutes
≥ 60 minutes (for Class 32,5 N)
EN 15743:2010
Final Setting Time
≤ 600 minutes
Not specified (performance-based)
EN 15743:2010
Soundness (Le Chatelier Expansion)
≤ 5 mm
≤ 10 mm
EN 15743:2010
Fineness (Blaine Specific Surface)
≥ 400 m²/kg
Not specified as a prescriptive limit
EN 15743:2010
Loss on Ignition (LOI)
≤ 2.0%
≤ 3.0%
EN 15743:2010
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values8
Quick Reference Values
Minimum granulated blast furnace slag content80% by mass
What is the main advantage of Super Sulphated Cement?+
Its primary advantage is high resistance to sulphate attack, making it suitable for marine structures, foundations in sulphate-rich soils, and sewage systems.
What is the minimum 28-day compressive strength required for this cement?+
The minimum 28-day compressive strength for a cement-sand mortar cube is 30 MPa, as per Table 2.
What are the main components of Super Sulphated Cement?+
It is primarily composed of at least 80% granulated blast furnace slag, inter-ground with calcium sulphate and a small amount of Portland cement clinker or lime as an activator (Clause 3).
What is the required fineness for this cement?+
The minimum specific surface area (fineness) must be 400 m²/kg when tested using Blaine's air permeability method (Table 2).