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IS 8043:1991 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for hydrophobic cement - specification. This standard specifies the requirements for hydrophobic Portland cement, which is designed to resist water absorption during transport and storage. It is manufactured by inter-grinding Portland cement clinker with a hydrophobic agent, making it suitable for use in high-humidity environments or for projects with long storage durations before use.
Specifies requirements for hydrophobic cement, designed to resist deterioration during storage in humid conditions.
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! The hydrophobic film on cement particles is broken during the mixing process, allowing for normal hydration. Ensure thorough and extended mixing compared to OPC.
! While its ultimate strength is comparable to OPC, its early strength gain may be slightly slower. This should be considered for formwork removal schedules.
! Ideal for remote construction sites or regions with high rainfall/humidity where cement warehouse conditions are not ideal.
Defines Portland cement treated with a hydrophobic agent to improve storage life.
SS 477:2009SPRING Singapore, Singapore
HighWithdrawn
Specification for hydrophobic Portland cement
Directly equivalent specification for hydrophobic Portland cement and its performance.
EN 197-1:2011CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
MediumCurrent
Cement - Part 1: Composition, specifications and conformity criteria for common cements
Covers base Portland cement (CEM I), but doesn't define a 'hydrophobic' type; such cement would be sold under a common type with added properties.
ASTM C150 / C150M - 22ASTM International, USA
LowCurrent
Standard Specification for Portland Cement
Specifies the base Portland cement (Type I), to which hydrophobic agents could be added, but does not specify requirements for the hydrophobic property itself.
Key Differences
≠IS 8043 is a dedicated standard for a specific cement 'type' (Hydrophobic), whereas major international codes like EN 197-1 and ASTM C150 do not define a hydrophobic type, treating the property as an addition to a standard cement like CEM I or Type I.
≠IS 8043 specifies a unique 'Wettability Test' (Annex A) where the cement must float on water for a minimum of 2 hours. This prescriptive performance test is not found in standard Portland cement specifications like ASTM C150 or EN 197-1.
≠The Indian standard requires the base cement to conform to IS 269 (for OPC). International standards have different chemical and physical requirements for their base cements; for instance, EN 197-1 specifies different strength classes and has tighter MgO limits than IS 8043.
≠IS 8043 allows a higher Insoluble Residue (max 4.0%) and Loss on Ignition (max 5.0%) compared to ASTM C150 (max 1.5% IR and 3.0% LOI for Type I), which reflects the presence of the organic hydrophobing agent.
Key Similarities
≈The fundamental principle is identical: inter-grinding Portland cement clinker with a small quantity of a film-forming agent (like oleic or stearic acid) to impart water repellency.
≈The hydrophobic effect is intended to be temporary. In both IS 8043 and similar international concepts, the protective film is designed to break down during the mechanical action of mixing, allowing for normal cement hydration and strength development.
≈Beyond the special hydrophobic property, the cement is required to meet the essential performance criteria of standard Portland cement, such as compressive strength, setting time, and soundness, ensuring it behaves predictably in concrete.
≈The base material for the cement is Portland cement clinker, meaning the primary chemical composition (CaO, SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3) is fundamentally the same across all standards.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Water Repellency Test (Wettability)
Sample must float on water for ≥ 2 hours
Not specified. (Historical MIL-C-10377C required ≥ 3 hours).
EN 197-1 / ASTM C150
28-Day Compressive Strength (43 Grade)
≥ 43.0 MPa
≥ 42.5 MPa
EN 197-1 (Class 42,5 N)
Initial Setting Time (Vicat)
≥ 30 minutes
≥ 60 minutes
EN 197-1 (Class 42,5)
Final Setting Time (Vicat)
≤ 600 minutes
≤ 375 minutes
ASTM C150 (Type I)
Soundness (Le Chatelier Expansion)
≤ 10 mm
≤ 10 mm
EN 197-1
Magnesium Oxide (MgO) Content
≤ 6.0%
≤ 5.0%
EN 197-1
Loss on Ignition (LOI)
≤ 5.0%
≤ 5.0%
EN 197-1
Insoluble Residue
≤ 4.0%
≤ 1.5%
ASTM C150
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values6
Quick Reference Values
Minimum 28-day Compressive Strength33 MPa
Minimum Fineness (Specific Surface)225 m²/kg
Initial Setting Time (min)30 minutes
Final Setting Time (max)600 minutes
Maximum Loss on Ignition (LOI)5.0 %
Water Repellency Test (min passing 150-micron sieve after 1 hr)50 %
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Chemical Requirements for Hydrophobic Portland Cement
Table 2 - Physical Requirements for Hydrophobic Portland Cement
A film-forming substance, like oleic acid or stearic acid, is inter-ground with the cement clinker, coating the particles to repel water during storage (Clause 4.1).
How is the water repellency tested?+
A sample is sprayed with water for 1 minute and then kept in a high humidity environment for 1 hour. At least 50% of the cement must remain fine enough to pass a 150-micron sieve, indicating it has not lumped due to moisture (Clause 6.6).
Are the strength requirements the same as normal cement?+
The minimum compressive strength requirements (16 MPa at 3 days, 22 MPa at 7 days, 33 MPa at 28 days) are equivalent to those for 33 Grade OPC, ensuring comparable final performance (Table 2).
Does the hydrophobic property affect the final concrete?+
No. The hydrophobic film is broken down by the abrasion of aggregates during mixing, allowing the cement to hydrate and behave like ordinary Portland cement in the hardened concrete.