The Steps of Aggregate Cement Production

Aggregate cement is used for many types of applications. Anywhere you see a concrete walkway, bridge, tunnel or a paved road, cement was likely used in its construction. Have you ever wondered how it is created? There are four basic steps used to get the powder from raw materials to the workers who mix it.

1. Collect Materials
The materials used to make cement are typically found at rock quarries, but it can also be made from recycled concrete or other paving materials. Once the mining process brings the rocks to the surface, a large number of pieces are collected.

2. Crush Materials Into Powder
The rocks are poured into large grinding machines that pulverize them. Some rocks resist being broken apart more than others. The bigger pieces that cannot be turned into dust are sifted out, leaving behind a powder in the machine’s reservoir.

3. Remove Impurities
The sifting process alone does not get rid of all the impurities, so the aggregate powder must be heated in a kiln. Temperatures reaching 3000 degrees burn off anything that does not belong in the purified mix, leaving behind a powder that, once mixed with water, will have a consistent texture that is easy to pour and smooth out.

4. Package Product
The final step of mix production is packaging. The powder is loaded into sacks and shipped to stores or warehouses where it will be used. Since water changes the product into a paste, it must be stored in a dry area until it is ready to mix.

The packaged aggregate is poured into a cement mixer when it’s time for the construction team to use it. After water is added and it is thoroughly mixed, workers can use it to build structures, create sidewalks, give roads a strong layer or set the foundation of a building. What starts as a pile of rocks is used in the construction of many things that make people’s lives easier.