Why cement mortar need to be consumed within 30 min just after it is mixed?

Cement mortar is a mixture of cement, sand, and water used for various construction purposes such as plastering, masonry, and laying bricks. The reason why cement mortar needs to be consumed within 30 minutes after its preparation is due to the following reasons:

1.Setting Time:

Cement mortar begins to set and harden within a few minutes of mixing with water. The setting time of cement mortar is generally around 30 minutes. After this time, the mortar becomes stiff, making it difficult to work with, and it will not bond well with the building materials.

2. Workability:

Fresh cement mortar has good workability, which means it can be easily spread and applied to the building surface. However, as time passes, the workability of the mortar reduces, making it harder to apply and shape. This can lead to poor-quality work and may require additional time and effort to correct.

3. Bonding:

Cement mortar needs to be consumed within 30 minutes because it loses its bonding strength after this time. Once the bonding strength is lost, the mortar will not adhere well to the building materials, which can result in weak or failed constructions.

Therefore, it is essential to use fresh cement mortar within 30 minutes of preparation to ensure the best quality of work and ensure the construction is safe and durable.