CEMENT

DATA SHEET
Premium Technical Cement

A premium cement offering excellent strength

performance and versatility
Innovative formulation by the unequalled technical resources of Lafarge Cement has produced a
versatile cement that is the effective solution to the productivity demands of any construction projects
and readymix concrete producers. Designed for high performance, Powercrete Plus achieves:
• Excellent strength at all ages
• Better workability for better placing
• Flexibility for further extension to give extra value and customised mixes
• Lower heat of hydration
• Better off-shutter finishes
• Lower-carbon footprint formulation for environmental tender specifications
• enhanced durability

Applications
Powercrete Plus is typically delivered in bulk tanker loads of approximately 34ton. On smaller jobs,
for convenience and ease of handling, it is supplied in palletised, shrink-wrapped loads of 50kg
bags. The versatile product offers a reliable quality, high-performance solution to the requirements
of a wide range of applications.

Where high strength and early age strength are needed for:
• Post-tensioning and prestressed slabs and beams
• Spun pipe manufacturing
• Precast manufacturing

Where large projects require specialised custom blends for:

• Dam/reservoir construction
• Structural concrete applications
• Tunnel lining

Where the product’s versatility is a benefit for:

• Home concrete work such as foundations and garden paths
• Medium strength concrete for driveways, unreinforced light industrial floors and mass
concrete
• High strength concrete for columns, suspended slabs, heavy duty industrial floors and
water retaining structures
• Masonry work: mortar and plaster
• Brick and block making

Composition
Powercrete Plus is produced at our Lichtenburg Cement Works in the North West Province and at our Richards Bay Grinding Station in KwaZulu-Natal. While
having similar essential characteristics, the product formulations differ between the sites, to optimise the use of the available raw materials. The products
conform to the SANS 50197 (EN 197) specification in accordance with SANS 50196 (EN 196) test requirements.

Powercrete Plus produced by our Lichtenburg Cement Works is a CEM II/A-M (V-L) 42,5R Portland-composite cement formulated from Portland cement
clinker and quality siliceous fly ash, as well as finely ground, high purity limestone and a strength-enhancing additive.

The formulation for Powercrete Plus produced at our Richards Bay Grinding Station is based on Portland cement clinker and quality siliceous fly ash,
together with a strength enhancer to achieve a CEM II/A-V 42,5R Portland-fly ash cement.

PAGE 1 | LAFARGE | 2012

Special Characteristics Quality
Flexibility: Powercrete Plus complies with the chemical and physical
Powercrete Plus can be extended further with DuraPozz®, slag requirements of SANS 50197 (EN197) for a Class II 42,5R cement.
(GGBS) or silica fume, to produce a wide range of customised site
blends. Physical properties
Scope for extension: Powercrete EN Spec.
Property
Extensive trials have demonstrated the potential for further cement Plus* requirement
replacement with an additional 15% up to 30% DuraPozz® or 30% 2 day Compressive strength 22,5 MPa ≥ 10,0 MPa
up to 50% slag (GGBS).
28 day Compressive strength 56,5 MPa ≥ 42,5 MPa ≤ 62,5 MPa
Reduced water demand:
Typically, the water demand of a concrete mix made with Powercrete Initial set 200 minutes ≥ 60 m
Plus is reduced by between 2% and 5% compared with a CEM I
Soundness 1,0 mm ≤ 10,0 mm
class cement. The reduction depends on a number of factors in
addition to the amount of fly ash in the cement. Relative Density 3,04 N/A
Lower heat of hydration: *Average test results
Powercrete Plus contributes to lower temperatures in mass concrete.
Peak temperatures are also at a later age, resulting in more mature concrete.
A typical value for Heat of Hydration determined in accordance with chemical properties
EN 196-9 is 227J/g at 41h, making Powercrete Plus a low heat common EN Spec.
Property Powercrete Plus
cement (< 270J/g). requirement
SO3 2,10% ≤ 3,5% m/m
strengtH development CI
-
0,051% ≤ 0,10% m/m
Powercrete Plus is formulated to meet the high, good early strength
requirements of specialist technical applications. This is of particular
benefit in applications such as post-tensioning of prestressed beams. Reliability
Our Lichtenburg Cement Works and Richards Bay Grinding Station are
strengTH performance SABS/ISO 9001-2000 listed. The strength development and performance
of Powercrete Plus is continually monitored for compliance with Lafarge’s
Powercrete Plus stringent in-house standards (referred to as “Usage Quality Testing”).

Safety: No 1 priority
Compressive Strength (MPa)

Before starting any job, make safety the first step in your planning.
Safety Data sheets are available from:
• Your local building materials supplier
• Lafarge Customer Care on 011 657 1010
• Lafarge website: www.lafarge.co.za

For ease of ordering

Customers who have registered to access the Lafarge Customer Portal, can
order Powercrete Plus at their convenience, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

For further information or to register to use the Portal, please contact:

W/C Ratio 3 days 7 days 28 days
• Your local Lafarge Sales Representative
• Customer Care: 011 657 1010
• Download an Application form from our website: www.lafarge.co.za
Technical services
Powercrete Plus is fully supported by Lafarge Cement’s Quality Contact us
Department Southern Africa, which is a SANAS accredited Civil
Engineering testing facility. Complying with ISO/IEC 17025, For further information on Powercrete Plus, please contact us on:
Toll-free: 0860 109 275 or Call Centre: 011 657 1111
the facility has a proud sixteen year track record of continuous or Customer Care: 011 657 1010
accreditation.

Lafarge South Africa

35 Westfield Road
Longmeadow Business Estate Ext 11, Edenvale, 1609
Tel: 0860 LAFARG / 0860 523 274
or 0861 LAFARG / 0861 523 274
Main fax: 086 631 0006
www.lafarge.co.za

PAGE 2 | LAFARGE | 2012