Water is a friend and an enemy in the construction industry. Also, although water is required to mix cement, excess moisture during storage or transportation can spoil the cement before it has even found its way to the construction site. This is a significant issue in humid or rainy places.
Engineers have worked this out by designing Hydrophobic Portland Cement. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has developed the standard of IS 8043:1991 to make sure that this special cement is of the best quality. In Induce India, we deal with assisting manufacturers to acquire this crucial certification. Today, in this blog, we will define what this cement is and why the BIS mark is a must, using very simple words.
What is the Hydrophobic Portland Cement?
Hydrophobic is a combination of two Greek words: h (water) and phobos (fear). The plainest thing is that this cement is afraid of water.
Some water-repellent chemicals (such as oleic acid or stearic acid) are also ground together with the cement clinker during the manufacturing process. Each grain of cement has a microscopic protective layer that is formed by these chemicals. This coating does not allow the cement to take in moisture from the air when sitting in a warehouse or as it is being moved in a truck.
But after mixing the cement with sand and water at the construction site, the protective layer deteriorates because of the mixing friction, and the cement then begins to set and to harden just like any other cement.
Why Use Hydrophobic Cement?
It is a lifesaver in certain circumstances with this cement. It is primarily used in:
Humid areas: Cities that lie along the coast, where the air is always humid.
Long-term storage: Cement is required to be stored over a long period and not to form lumps like rock.
Extreme weather: Areas of high monsoon seasons.
Basements and Tunnels: Areas where dampness is an alarming problem.
What is IS 8043:1991?
The official Indian Standard specifying the rules of Hydrophobic Portland Cement is the IS 8043:1991. It is a checklist which should be adhered to by every manufacturer. When a bag of cement carries the ISI Mark with a number IS 8043:1991, the buyer knows that such cement has been tested and it will indeed be able to repel water as it states.
There are several requirements in this standard that, at Induce India, we assist companies to establish that their product satisfies all the requirements enumerated in this standard so that they are legally allowed to use the ISI mark.
Key Quality Tests Under IS 8043:1991
To achieve BIS certification, tests of a cement in a laboratory are vital, and the cement should pass through a number of tests. The following are the key aspects of the standard checks:
The Water-Repellency Test
This is the most significant test on this particular cement. Cement is put on a surface, and some water is dropped on it. The cement should be able to withstand the water over a given duration without becoming wet and forming clumps.
Compressive Strength
Although it contains special chemicals, it has to be strong. The cement is put to test after 3 days, 7 days and 28 days to ensure that it can withstand the weight of a building.
Setting Time
The standard has made sure that the cement does not dry too fast and harden too slowly. This gives the workers sufficient time to lay the cement correctly.
Chemical Composition
The lab measures the percentage of lime, silica, alumina and the special hydrophobic agents to make sure that the “recipe” is flawless.
The reason why BIS Certification is obligatory
The government in India has made it mandatory that any form of cement must be BIS certified. The ISI mark is a must to sell Hydrophobic Portland Cement in the Indian market.
To the manufacturer, it is not merely a legal regulation. It represents one of the Reliability and Excellence. A builder or a government department will be aware that the product is safe and reliable when they see the ISI mark. In the absence of it, your product does not apply to big construction works or government contracts.
How Induce India Will Assist You To Be Certified
BIS licensing may be hectic and tedious. It involves a lot of paperwork, visits to the factories and laboratory tests. It is at this stage that Induce India comes into the picture. We are your collaborator to ensure that the process is easy and noise-free.
Our services include:
- Documentation: We assist you in making all the technical and legal documents that are necessary in the BIS.
- Factory Set-Up: You have to choose to set up an in-house laboratory to test your cement every day, out by instructing you on how to do it.
- Audit Support: When the BIS officer comes to your factory, we come and assist you in presenting your quality control system in the appropriate way.
- Sample Testing: We assist you in passing the severe tests within the BIS-approved laboratories.
The Pros of Certification for Your Business
The IS 8043:1991 certification received using Induce India has the following benefits:
Legal Freedom: You do not have to worry about the legal problems when marketing your product in India.
Higher Sales: Large construction firms are only purchasing products with the ISI mark.
Brand Reputation: Your brand becomes a quality.
Consistency: The certification process assists you in enhancing your production process, which results in an improved and consistent product.
Construction or Building with Confidence
Hydrophobic Portland Cement is a special product which is the solution to a giant problem in the construction industry. Nevertheless, the special properties are only advantageous when the quality is assured. IS 8043:1991 is that guarantee.
In Induce India, quality is not difficult to attain. We remove the hard work element of certification, and you concentrate on what you are good at: making great cement. We will be happy to support you all the way up to the next level in case you are considering taking your business to the next level with a BIS license.
