Time Travel Cement

 

Cement is a basic material of our modern civilization: After water, it is the most consumed material—and the most widely used material in the world. Discover what makes this gray powder so sought-after in our 'Time Travel Cement' exhibition. Learn why Rüdersdorf shell limestone is so central to cement, what other ingredients are needed, how long Rüdersdorf's limestone reserves will last, and the diverse types of cement produced here since the 19th century.

 

Cement is a hydraulic binder: When mixed with water, the cement components form a strong bond with the water and harden to form what is known as cement stone. This works both in air and underwater. Unlike plastics or wood, cement is considered an organic building material. One of the most important raw materials for cement production is limestone. The limestone extracted from the Rüdersdorf open-cast mine is largely processed at the Rüdersdorf cement plant (CEMEX).

 

By the way: The term 'cement' has a history dating back thousands of years. Roman builders had been familiar with opus caementitium since at least the 3rd century BC. This 'Roman' concrete was a concrete-like building material that used burnt lime as a binding agent (like today's cement).

 

Cement serves, among other things, as a binding agent for all types of concrete. Concrete is produced by mixing cement with water and mineral raw materials (gravel, sand, chippings). The cement-water mixture hardens and binds the mineral raw materials together. The result is a permanently strong "artificial stone." Concrete is used to create safe and durable residential and commercial buildings, schools and hospitals, drinking water and energy infrastructure, road and rail networks, as well as bridges, dams, and tunnels. Concrete is the foundation of modern construction.

 

Learn more about the history, present, and future plans of cement in our exhibition.