C-S-H binder + aggregate
ChemistryConcrete is specified as C-S-H binder + aggregate. Density band ~2400 kg/m³.
Darker cells mean a higher score for this topic on that metric.
Strength70
Heat resistance68
Fire performance90
Insulation22
Workability60
Circularity30
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Last reviewed Sources & creditsMedia creditsMethodology
Quick answers
Is Concrete non-combustible?
Declared reaction class in this atlas: A1. Assemblies still need resistance tests.
Does Concrete insulate?
Thermal mark 22/100 versus the atlas. Conductivity note: ~1.4 W/m·K.
What is the density band?
~2400 kg/m³
How is it made?
Origin story: Roman pozzolana; Aspdin 1824; Hennebique RC (Rome → Leeds → Paris).
Can it be recycled?
Circularity mark 30/100 — editorial, route-specific.
Typical melting or failure heat?
does not melt; dehydrates and spalls
heat 68 · fire 90
What holds Concrete together is not the nickname. Formula C-S-H binder + aggregate, density ~2400 kg/m³.
Meters are atlas-relative. Grades are the SKUs buyers write.
Phases
Microstructure
OrderProcessing sets grain, crystallinity or fibre orientation — the reason two lots of Concrete can test differently.
Interfaces
SurfacesCoatings, oxide films, sizings or paper faces often decide weather and fire behaviour more than the bulk brochure.
Defects
FlawsInclusions, voids, knots, pinholes or residual stress start the failures that mill certificates do not list.
Grades
VariantsConcrete is a family. Grade names below are the ones buyers actually write on RFQs.
Ageing
TimeMoisture, UV, creep, hydrogen or carbonation shift properties in service. Design to the aged state.
Relative meters
Strength70
Strength is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Heat envelope68
Heat envelope is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Fire behaviour90
Fire behaviour is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Insulation22
Insulation is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Workability60
Workability is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Circularity30
Circularity is an editorial 0–100 mark relative to the other 31 materials in this atlas — not a laboratory certificate.
Grades
C25/30
Ordinary structural.Ordinary structural.
C50/60 HPC
High-rise columns.High-rise columns.
UHPC
Bridge overlays, façades.Bridge overlays, façades.
Foam / AAC
Insulating cousins.Insulating cousins.
Refractory castable
Furnace, not building.Furnace, not building.
Bonds
Primary bonding
Concrete holds together by ionic/covalent networks.
Secondary forces
Hydrogen bonds, van der Waals stacks or grain-boundary cohesion set toughness and moisture uptake.
Composites & fills
Fillers, fibres, plasticisers or aggregates are part of the real product, not impurities.
Environment film
Oxides, chars, sizings or paints are the layer the world actually meets.
Change the grade, the coating or the moisture and you have a different material with the same English name.
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