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Cement is a hydraulic binder, which acts as a kind of glue that sticks sand and gravel together. Cement was initially used by the Egyptians and then the Romans in the form of a mixture of lime, clay, sand and water and it was rediscovered in the early 19^thcentury. By varying the amounts and types of the same basic ingredients, cement with various properties can be obtained. By further varying the ingredients,even more differing cements are manufactured.

The manufacturing process of cement is as follows:

Step 1: Extraction of Raw Materials

The raw materials required in the production of cement would be calcium carbonate, silica, alumina and iron ore.They are extracted from reserves containing limestone, rock, chalk or clay. Blasting is used to extract these raw materials from the quarries. They are then crushed and transported to the plant where they are homogenized and stored.

Step 2: Raw Grinding & Burning

A fine powder, known as raw meal is produced from fine grinding. The raw meal is then preheated and sent to the kiln, where the material is heated to 1500°C before being cooled immediately. This produces clinker which is the basic material for all cements.

Step 3: Cement Grinding

3-5% gypsum is added to the clinker to regulate how the cement will set. The mixture is then ground finely to produce ‘pure cement’. Cement additives, together with gypsum are then added in various proportions to give the cement appropriate properties such as greater resistance to sulfates, higher quality finishes etc.

There are five general types ofcement:

• Type 1 cement is for the general use, typically used in construction
• Type 2 cement is also a general cement but has resistance to sulfates and heat of hydration
• Type 3 cement is for high strength properties in the early stages of the cement’s life
• Type 4 cement is used when very low heats of hydration are required
• Type 5 cement is used when a very high sulfate resistance is required

Aluminium composite panels offer stylish, high quality and eye-catching solution that complement any exterior or interior space. They offer numerous creative and practical fabrication possibilities for curtain walls, paneling and cladding applications. Increasingly, aluminium composite panels are combining aesthetics and functionality like never before.

Aluminium is a metallic element that comes from bauxite ore. Through modern processes, aluminium becomes a light metal which can be given great strength by alloying with other metals. It is inherently corrosion-resistant, light, highly malleable, non-toxic and also non magnetic. Aluminium can be formed by all known metal working processes.

In 1968, Alcan Composites revolutionalized the cladding industry with the development of the world’s first aluminium composite panel (ALUCOBOND®). ALUCOBOND® is an aluminium composite panel made up of  a polyethylene / mineral core sandwiched between 2 skins of 0.5mm thick aluminium alloy. Compared to normal aluminium sheet of the same weight, ALUCOBOND® had better rigidity, flatness and colour consistency. This development had since been greatly appreciated and accepted by many architects and designers, who preferred versatility, durability and aesthetics.

As aluminium’s price fluctuated owing to its increased consumption, not only in building and construction industry, but also host of other applications including automobile and aircraft manufacturing, more and more building owners and architects around the world are switching to aluminium composite panels instead of normal aluminium sheets for their cladding requirements. An increasing number of office buildings, shopping malls, airports and hospitals are using aluminium composite panels on their facades to achieve a sophisticated and elegant appearance.

ALUCOBOND® was developed as a stable yet flexible wall cladding material to be used for architectural purposes. Proven since 1969 in various cladding applications around the world, ALUCOBOND® has been consistent in developing quality aluminium composite panels. Besides being weather-resistant, shatterproof, flat, strong and vibration-dampening, ALUCOBOND® has been an easier composite panel to fabricate and install.

Unlike anodisation process which causes the natural aluminium surface to lose its original brilliance, the shine and gloss of ALUCOBOND® naturAL surfaces last for years. More importantly, ALUCOBOND® naturAL has the same unequalled materials properties typical of all ALUCOBOND® panels: extraordinary flatness and rigidity, excellent formability, low weight and outstanding weather resistance. As compared to other metal sheets, surfaces of ALUCOBOND® naturAL are also easy to clean and care for, which explains why a number of exciting architectural projects around the world have used Alucobond® naturAL and ALUCOBOND® Spectra Colours for exterior cladding.