Frequenty Asked Questions

Cockburn Cement Limited's Technical Department provides a customer support service for any technical enquiries from Customers, Engineers, Architects, Building Designers and the general public.

We have compiled a list of most frequently asked questions with responses. To view the responses please click on the relevant link.

Please contact our Technical Department for any technical queries that you may have on (08) 9411 1033 and speak to our specialised staff that will assist with your enquiry.

Q.1 What type of cement should be used for pizza oven, fireplace or any other high temperature applications?
Q.2 Is 50/50 Cream (or Grey) the same as Brickies Lite (or Grey)?
Q.3 Is Brickies Lite the same as Crème?
Q.4 Can I use Brickies Lite (or Grey) 0 To 1km from the coast for external brickwork?
Q.5 How do I test Available Lime?
Q.6 How do I make Whitewash?
Q.7 What is Efflorescence?
Q.8 What cement content (mixes) should I use?
Q9 What are the classes of normal concrete?
Q10 What are the variable criteria for normal class concrete?
Q11 What class of concrete would commonly be used for domestic footings and on ground slabs?
Q12 What would be the class of concrete that must be used for an exposed cantilevered balcony to a house that will be situated within 1 km of a surf coastline or 100m of a non-surf coastline.

 

Q What type of cement should be used for pizza oven, fireplace or any other high temperature applications?
A TopA refractory cement made by LAFARGE called Fondu Cement.
Contact Mowatt Refactories on (08) 9419 7399 or Farinosi (Mitre 10) on (08) 9328 7311 for further information


Q Is 50/50 Cream (or Grey) the same as Brickies Lite (or Grey)?
A TopYes – Identical product, just different bags and slightly different sizes


Q Is Brickies Lite the same as Crème?
A TopNo Crème is a pure Portland Cement whereas Brickies Lite is a 50/50 blend of Portland cement with Hylime.


Q Can I use Brickies Lite (or Grey) 0 To 1km from the coast for external brickwork?
A TopNo. Masonry code requires that you use a M4 mortar. See our Easy Estimator


Q How do I test Available Lime?
A TopDownload PDF file


Q How do I make Whitewash?
A TopDownload our Easy Whitewash brochure


Q What is Efflorescence?
A TopDownload our Efflorescence Information Sheet


Q What cement content (mixes) should I use?
A TopSee our Easy Estimator


Q What are the classes of normal concrete?
A

TopSee our Easy Estimator
There are 5 classes of concrete in common circulation, N20, N25, N32, N40 and N50.  The "N" stands for normal and the number following stands for the compressive strength rating, measured in MPa (Mega Pascals).  For further information please refer to AS3600.


Q What are the variable criteria for normal class concrete?
A

TopSee our Easy Estimator

To Specify a normal class concrete you must supply three variable criteria:  1) The compressive strength rating in Mega Pascals; 2) The workability slump in millimetres; 3) The maximum diameter of the coars aggregate in millimetres.  So a specification might look something like:  
N32/80/20 (N for normal, 32 for 32MPa, 80 for 80mm slump and 20 for 20mm max diameter coarse aggregate).



Q What class of concrete would commonly be used for domestic footings and on ground slabs?
A

TopSee our Easy Estimator

N20  -  For further information please refer to AS3600.


Q What would be the class of concrete that must be used for an exposed cantilevered balcony to a house that will be situated within 1km of a surf coastline or 100m of a non-surf coastline.
A

TopSee our Easy Estimator

The minimum compressive strength rating would be 40MPa, cured in accordance with AS3600 guidelines for exposure classification B2.  The "B2" relates to the use of a specific curing practice, with the concrete reaching a minimum compressive strength after 7 days of continuous curing.  Also the reinforcement steel must have a minimum of 45mm of effective concrete cover.  For further information please refer to AS3600 section 4 "Design for Durability".