Masonry Cement

MIAMI Masonry Cements

Product Description:

Fairborn Cement Company’s MIAMI masonry cements are specifically formulated and manufactured to produce masonry mortar for use with concrete masonry units, brick, stone, decorative stone and cultured stone masonry construction applications.

Fairborn Cement Company’s MIAMI masonry cement is a high quality, versatile product formulated with finely ground portland cement, mineral additives, specialty admixtures and pigments to meet a wide variety of construction requirements including colored masonry cement. All constituent materials are proportioned at the cement plant under strict quality conditions to consistently provide users with a quality product.

Fairborn Cement Company’s MIAMI masonry cements conform to the physical requirements of ASTM C91. MIAMI masonry cement is manufactured in Type N, Type S and Type M strengths for use in preparing ASTM C270 Type N, S or M mortar.

MIAMI Masonry Cements are designed to be mixed with clean water and sand conforming to ASTM C144. No further additions are required or recommended.

 

MIAMICOLOR Masonry Cements

• Technical Bulletin - Field Testing of Masonry Mortar
• MIAMICOLOR Digital Color Card (PDF Format)

Product Description:

Fairborn Cement Company’s MIAMICOLOR masonry cements are specifically formulated and manufactured to produce colored masonry mortar for use in concrete masonry units, brick, stone, decorative stone and cultured stone masonry construction applications.

Fairborn Cement Company’s MIAMICOLOR masonry cement is a high quality, versatile, colored product manufactured by blending Fairborn Cement Company’s MIAMI cement with colored pigments and white masonry cement when required. All constituent materials are proportioned at the cement plant under strict quality conditions to provide users with a consistent, quality product. MIAMICOLOR Masonry Cement is produced using iron oxide pigments which are notable for their UV resistance and minimal fading qualities.

Types:

Fairborn Cement Company’s MIAMICOLOR masonry cements conform to the physical requirements of ASTM C91. MIAMICOLOR masonry cements are manufactured in Type N and Type S strengths for use in preparing ASTM C270 Type N and S mortar. MIAMICOLOR masonry cements are designed to be mixed with clean water and sand conforming to ASTM C144. No further additions are required or recommended.

Color:

MIAMICOLOR is available in 44 standard colors. Selection of color may be made using Fairborn Cement Company’s MIAMI Color sample kit. The sample kit contains actual MIAMICOLOR prepared mortar in joint sized channels for a realistic representation of the colors. For color matching, please contact your local sales representative or contact us.

Pre-construction sample panels should be constructed using materials and methods that will be consistent with full scale production. This sample panel should be used for the basis of acceptance by the architect and owner. The sample color kit channels or color cards are not to be used for acceptance purposes, but rather as a starting point to selecting a color. Materials, construction methods and environmental conditions at the time of construction as well as curing play an instrumental role in the final color and appearance of the finished mortar.

Preparation:

Preparation of masonry mortar using Fairborn Cement Company’s MIAMI masonry cement or MIAMICOLOR is to be prepared in accordance with ASTM C270 under either the Proportion Specification or Property Specification Requirements as dictated by the project specifications. Table 1 and 2 provide references for each specification.

Table 1: Proportion Specification (Proportions by Volume)

Mortar Type	Masonry Cement Type N	Masonry Cement Type S	Masonry Cement Type M	Masonry Sand
N	1	-	-	2 1/4 - 3
S	-	1	-	2 1/4 - 3
M	-	-	1	2 1/4 - 3

Table 2: Property Specification

Mortar Type	Compressive Strength Min., psi	Water Retention Min., %	Air Content Max., %
N	750	75	20
S	1800	75	18
M	2500	75	18

The property specification proportions for cement to sand ratios, are to be in the range of 1:2 ¼ to 1:3 ½. Compressive strength, water retention and maximum air content should meet the requirements of Table 2.

Under the property specification, no changes shall be made to the accepted laboratory established proportions in the field, other than water content. If materials other than those used to establish conformance are to be used in the work, reestablishing conformance to the property specification is required.

For a general guide of mortar type to be used based on construction application, refer to ASTM C270. Other factors to consider are type and absorption of masonry units, exposure and climatic conditions, applicable building codes and engineering requirements.

Field Testing Masonry Mortar:

Field testing of masonry mortar is to be performed in accordance to ASTM C780 Standard Test Method for Preconstruction and Construction Evaluation of Mortars for Plain and Reinforced Unit Masonry and only under the Property Specification. For additional information on this topic, please click on the following document link:

• Technical Bulletin - Field Testing of Mortar
• Field Testing Masonry Mortars (PDF Format)
  courtesy of Portland Cement Association (PCA)

Mixing of MIAMI masonry cement or MIAMICOLOR masonry cements should be accomplished by means of a mechanical paddle mixer whenever possible. While the mixer is running:

1. Add 2/3 of the potable water.
2. Add ½ of the ASTM C144 sand.
3. Add MIAMI masonry cement or MIAMICOLOR.
4. Add the remaining ASTM C144 sand.
5. Add the remaining potable water to achieve the desired consistency and mix for a minimum of 5 minutes.

Application:

Retempering of Fairborn Cement Company’s MIAMICOLOR masonry cement mortar is not recommended and will result in color variation.

For consistent color, appearance and proper joint compaction, MIAMICOLOR masonry joints must be tooled properly and consistently at the same degree of stiffness. Inconsistencies in methods and timing of jointing will result in color variations.

Masonry structures constructed using Fairborn Cement Company’s MIAMICOLOR masonry cement should be cleaned with mild detergents only and in no instance, should acid based cleaners be used. Cleaners should be trialed on the pre-construction sample panel prior to full scale cleaning. The best practice of clean as you go, will reduce the amount of post construction cleaning.

Hot Weather:

Hot sun, drying winds and summer temperatures can lead to rapid evaporation of the mixing water from the prepared mortar. This evaporation of water can lead to reduced workability and shorten the life of the mortar. Precautions such as shading materials and mixer, covering transfer equipment and dampening mortar boards should be used to combat the effects of hot weather. For additional information on Hot Weather masonry construction, please click on the following document:

• Hot Weather Masonry Construction (PDF Format) - courtesy of Portland Cement Association (PCA)
  courtesy of Portland Cement Association (PCA)

Cold Weather:

Prepared mortar should be mixed and maintained at a temperature above 40°F as prescribed by cold weather masonry specifications. Common methods used to meet this requirement are by heating the mixing water or aggregate. Protection of the newly installed mortar should also follow the prescribed methods outlined in cold weather masonry specifications. For additional information on Cold Weather masonry construction, please click on the following document:

• Cold Weather Masonry Construction (PDF Format) - courtesy of Portland Cement Association (PCA)
  courtesy of Portland Cement Association (PCA)

MIAMI Mortar Cement

Mortar cement is a relatively new masonry cement product developed in the 1980’s for structural applications where high bond strengths are required. Mortar cements are the only masonry cements that are required to meet a flexural bond strength test. The requirement of this test is used to assure that mortar cement has similar or better bond strength characteristics to Portland cement lime (PCL). With almost four decades of use, mortar cement is a proven viable replacement to PCL.

Types:

Fairborn Cement Company’s MIAMI mortar cement is manufactured in accordance with ASTM C1329 in preparation to making ASTM C270 Types S and Type N strength mortar. Fairborn Cement Company’s MIAMI mortar cements are designed to be mixed with clean water (free of injurious amounts of any substances that may be harmful to mortar or metal accessories in the masonry) and sand conforming to ASTM C144. No further additions are required or recommended.

For a general guide of mortar type to be used based on construction application, refer to ASTM C270. Other factors to consider are type and absorption of masonry units, exposure and climatic conditions, applicable building codes and engineering requirements.

Physical Properties:

Fairborn Cement Company’s mortar cements conform to the physical requirements of ASTM C1329. See Table 1.

Table 1: Physical Requirements of ASTM C1329 Mortar Cements.

Mortar Cement Type	ASTM C109, 28 Day Compressive Strength Min., psi	ASTM C1072 Flexural Bond Strength Min., psi	Air Content Max., %	Water Retention Value Min., %
N	900	70	21	70
S	2100	100	19	70
M	2900	115	19	70

Preparation:

Preparation of masonry mortar using Fairborn Cement Company’s MIAMI mortar cement is to be prepared in accordance with ASTM C270 under either the Proportion Specification or Property Specification Requirements as dictated by the project specifications. See Table 2 and 3.

Table 2: Proportion Specification (Proportions by Volume)

Mortar Type	Mortar Cement Type N	Mortar Cement Type S	Mortar Cement Type M	ASTM C144 Masonry Sand
N	1	-	-	2 1/4 - 3
S	-	1	-	2 1/4 - 3
M	-	-	1	2 1/4 - 3

Table 3: Property Specification

Mortar Type	Compressive Strength Min., psi	Water Retention Min., %	Air Content Max., %
N	750	75	20
S	1800	75	18
M	2500	75	18

The property specification proportions for cement to sand ratios are to be in the range of 1:2 ¼ to 1:3 ½. Compressive strength, water retention and maximum air content should meet the requirements of Table 3.

Under the property specification, no changes shall be made to the accepted laboratory established proportions in the field, other than water content. If materials other than those used to establish conformance are to be used in the work, reestablishing conformance to the property specification is required.