Fastcast Datasheet - Lafarge in South Africa

CEMENT
DATA SHEET
Fastcast is a bagged product that has been developed to
bring the benefits of a superior performance cement to
brick and block manufacturers, other smaller precasters
and DIY customers. Innovative Fastcast meets the high
early strength requirements of the precast industry and
similar demanding construction environments.
Unique Lafarge extended
formulation provides
• Economy: less Fastcast is required per cubic metre of concrete than
with lower strength class cements
• Saving time, saving money: high rate of early strength development
gets any concrete job done quicker
• Increased output: allows quicker turnaround time of moulds and
formwork
• Consistent high quality
• Superior strength at all ages to create concrete for the most
challenging applications
• Environmentally-friendly, lower-carbon footprint
Typical applications
As a premium high early strength cement, Fastcast is ideal for:
Domestic projects:
• Concrete foundations and garden paths
• Medium strength concrete for driveways
• Ponds and water features
Where high early age strength is needed for:
• Precast applications in general
• Brick and block making
• Post-tensioning and prestressed slabs and beams
• Poles and spun concrete pipe manufacturing
• Culverts and large precast concrete products in general
• Concrete roof tiles
Industrial projects:
• Unreinforced light industrial floors and mass concrete
• High strength concrete for columns, suspended slabs, heavy duty
industrial floors and water retaining structures
• Prestressed railway sleepers
Recommended mix proportions by volume
Fastcast is suitable for:
Medium strength concrete: 20 -25MPa
Driveways, light industrial floors (unreinforced)
Reinforced concrete structural
applications: 25-30MPa
Suspended slabs, heavy duty industrial floors
Watertight concrete:
Reservoirs, ponds 1
Volume proportions of materials
Cement Sand Stone
1 3½ 3½
1 3 3
2½
2½
Note: Use the same size container for measuring all
the materials in a batch – see volume proportions
above.
General smaller precast items:
Lintels, garden ornaments
1 3 3
Brick and Block making 1 10 -
Customers who are unsure of the mix proportions to achieve the required concrete strength for a job, should contact their local Lafarge Cement sales
consultant or our Call Centre on 011 657 1111
PAGE 1 | LAFARGE | 2012

Features
Innovative Class II
Fastcast is a Class II cement formulated from Portland cement clinker and
siliceous fly ash together with a strength enhancer, to produce a CEM II/A-V
52,5N Portland-fly ash cement, in accordance with SANS 50197-1
(EN 197-1).
Strength characteristics
Fastcast is formulated to have a high rate of early strength development as
the product’s most outstanding characteristic. This is a major benefit to:
• The productivity of precast concrete product manufacturers by allowing
quicker turnaround time of moulds
• Applications where high early strength is a requirement
• Applications requiring high ultimate strength concrete mixes
Special Lafarge extended formulation
• More workability for better placing
• Better off-shutter finishes
• Lower-carbon footprint
Consistent quality
Manufacturing Fastcast exclusively at our Lichtenburg Cement Works in the
North West Province from consistent high quality raw materials minimises
product variability. Fastcast users are assured of enhanced quality and
reliability.
Reliable performance
The strength development and performance of the product is continually
monitored for compliance with Lafarge’s demanding in-house standards
(referred to as “Usage Quality Testing”). The range of tests includes a steam
curing regime.
Quality
Fastcast complies with the chemical and physical requirements of SANS
50197 (EN197) for a Class 52,5N cement.
Technical services
Fastcast is fully supported by Lafarge Cement’s Quality Department
Southern Africa, which is a SANAS accredited Civil Engineering testing
facility. Complying with ISO/IEC 17025, the facility has a proud sixteen year
track record of continuous accreditation.
Safety when handling cement
Before starting any job, make safety the first step in your planning.
Cement is such a commonly available product that many people use it
without giving any thought to personal protection. It is important to take
sensible handling precautions.
For further information, Safety Data Sheets are available from:
• Your local building materials supplier
• Lafarge Customer Care on: 011 657 1010
• Lafarge website: www.lafarge.co.za
For ease of ordering
Customers who have registered to access the Lafarge Customer Portal, can
order Fastcast at their convenience, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
For further information or to register to use the Portal, please contact:
• Your local Lafarge Sales Representative
• Customer Care: 011 657 1010
• Download an Application form from our website: www.lafarge.co.za
Contact us
For further information on Fastcast, please contact Lafarge Cement on:
Toll-free: 0860 109 275 or Call Centre: 011 657 1111
or Customer Care: 011 657 1010
Physical properties
Curing time
Days
EN Prism
Compressive
Strength MPa
SANS 50197
(EN 197)
requirement
MPa
2 day > 25,0 ≥ 20,0
28 day > 60,0 ≥ 52,5
Other properties
Initial set 160 minutes ≥ 45 minutes
Soundness < 1,0 mm < 10 mm
chemical properties
SO 3 2,80% m/m ≤ 4,0% m/m
CI - 0,07% m/m ≤ 0,10% m/m
PAGE 2 | LAFARGE | 2012
Lafarge Industries South Africa (Pty) Ltd
35 Westfield Road
Longmeadow Business Estate Ext 11, Edenvale, 1609
Tel: 0860 LAFARG / 0860 523 274
or 0861 LAFARG / 0861 523 274
Main fax: 086 631 0006
www.lafarge.co.za