Roman cement is a highly versatile and flexible natural ‘breathable’ cement with excellent natural colour tone. It can be used on historic buildings and even underwater. Available in 64 bag pallets direct to site, or in smaller quantities from Lincolnshire lime.
History:
In 1796 the Reverend James Parker Patented Roman Cement and it became highly desirable for its long term durability. After 1824 Roman cement declined due to the introduction of Portland cement which in the present day, as an Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), is burnt at fusion temperatures and can have some undesirable effects on historic buildings.
The full rocare manual is available to download here via rocare.eu
User Information:
Natural Roman Cement (NRC) is able to blend with hydrated limes for a reliable set, or with a pozolanic material for greater strength.
NRC has a better compatible strength with historic masonry and renders due to the special processing of the gault stone and the lower kiln temperatures used.
NRC is suitable for conservation and new build projects where characteristics such as breathability, flexibility and colour are important. The lower shrink rate avoids cracking.
NRC can be blended with up to 2 parts lime; when mixed with the right aggregate it will produce a more flexible material with a vapour open quality which is similar to air lime.
NRC has a unique buff colour which, unlike other cements, does not produce any grey tones.
NRC is unique because it is cement without mineral or chemical additives to control the speed of set.
NRC has excellent shelf life, 28 day, 90 day and 12 month test results show no significant loss of strength on cement 21 months old when properly stored. A particular advantage when formulating pre-mixed mortars.
NRC can be used in almost any situation where OPC or limes are used. Natural Roman Cement is available in 20kg bags
Typical blends: NRC-lime-well graded sharp aggregate
| NRC | LIME | SAND | Typical 28 day strength |
| 1 | 0 | 3 | 3.5 Newtons |
| 2 | 1 | 9 | 3 Newtons |
| 1 | 1 | 6 | 2.5 Newtons |
| 1 | 2 | 9 | 2 Newtons |
Check sand void ratio and alter accordingly. 1:3 binder ratio assumed although sands vary.
Workable life of fresh mortar 60 minutes variable according to temperature.
Other blends: Seek advice from Technical to check the suitability of NRC before specifying. Tel. (UK) 01760 337994
| Set | Time to set | Details | Typical Strength |
| Set 1 | 1-12 hours | Firm to touch | Nominal |
| Set 2 | 2-3 weeks | Dormant for up to 3 weeks during which it can still be crumbled between the fingers | 3 N/mm2 |
| Set 3 | 1 year | Full the potential for the task | 10 N/mm2 |
| Set 4 | Final set | Undetermined period for the final strength | ND |
Store in a dry area and do not use in extremes of temperature
Natural Roman Cement , NRC and Rocem (TM) are trading names of Roman Construction Products Ltd.
All results below are typical values according to BS EN 1015-19:1999, results are taken from 2 independent test facilities
Technical:
Roman cement can be mixed with a Pozolanic material or Lime to make formulated mortars:
When mixed with lime hydrate NRC creates a Hydraulic Lime. These Hydraulic Limes can be tailored to each individual task with reliable results. The table below also shows how NRC can be mixed with a Pozolanic material (GGBS in this case) for a wide range of uses. We recommend up to 25% Pozolanic material for optimum results. The table below also shows how binders in general might continue to strengthen beyond the recognised 28 day bench mark.
Typical compressive strengths using Natural Roman Cement (NRC) and Singleton Birch hydrated lime or GGBS.
| Sample values by weight | Typical
28 day strength (N/mm2) |
Typical
90 day strength (N/mm2) |
Typical
1 year strength (N/mm2) |
Typical
2 year strength (N/mm2) |
| Roman Cement + 25% GGBS | 10.61 | – | – | – |
| Roman Cement + 10% GGBS | 6.17 | – | – | – |
| Roman Cement | 3.47 | 6.06 | 11.52 | 13.43 |
| Roman Cement + 25% Hydrate | 3.32 | 5.29 | 8.81 | 10.65 |
| Roman Cement + 50% Hydrate | 2.62 | 4.11 | 6.29 | 7.69 |
| Roman Cement + 75% Hydrate | 1.74 | 2.99 | 3.86 | 4.61 |
The following table gives further test results and typical values in accordance with BS EN 1015-19:1999.
| Test type | 28 days | 1 YEAR |
| Flexural Strength | 1.58 MPa | 3.14 MPa |
| Compressive Strength | 3.47 MPa | 11.52 MPa |
| Compressive strength retained after 10 freeze-thaw cycles* | 54% | 65% |
| Water absorption coefficient (28 days) | 7.70 kg/m2/hr0.5 | |
| Vapour permeability (28 days) | 0.96E-11, kg·m-1·s-1·Pa-1 (V1 High) | |
| Percentage clay content | 26.7% | |
| Thermal conductivity of NRC as Hempcrete |
0.0465 W/mK | |
*Compressive strength of the sample after 10 freeze-thaw cycles expressed as percentage of the strength of the control sample
Specific qualities are determined by both aggregate and binder combination, seek advice from RCP Ltd Technical.
Note: Soft cement lumps in the bag are a natural feature of this product and will not affect its performance.
Further information:
Some clarifications about the differences and similarities between the Natural hydraulic lime and cement Natural are listed below:
Naturally Retarded Natural Cement is obtained by crushing, heating and reducing marl stone powder. Both Natural Hydraulic Lime and Natural Cement are obtained by calcining rocks which are essentially composed of limestone with varying amounts of silica clay. Also found in this composition, in small quantities is: alumina, iron oxide, magnesia and sulfuric acid. Both products have hydraulic properties (provided by the clay content); by consequence they can set and harden under the influence of air and water.
Hydraulic lime is so called when the percentage of clay stone is higher than 5% and always less than 25%. By the amount of clay we can determine the classification (hydraulic, moderately hydraulic, hydraulic limes and eminently hydraulic). Thus, they are able to set in an environment saturated with moisture thanks to the proportion of silicates and calcium aluminates, but at the same time retaining an air phase which allows the lime to reabsorb CO2 from the atmosphere. This combined behaviour brings about a reduction in the setting time which is particularly useful for unsettled weather and winter working projects.
Note: Soft cement lumps in the bag are a natural feature of this product and will not affect its performance.
Other information and safetly data downloads
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:
IRRITANT
WEAR YOUR EYE PROTECTION – IT COULD SAVE YOUR SIGHT.