MORTAR / STUCCO
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Mortar and Stucco: Description and Comparison
Mortar Mortar is a paste used to bond building materials like bricks and stones. It consists of cement, lime, sand, and water. The lime improves workability and reduces cracking by making the mixture more flexible. Mortar is not meant to carry structural loads—it primarily holds masonry units together and accommodates slight movement.
Stucco Stucco is a plaster-like material applied as a finish coat on walls, especially exteriors. It is made from cement, sand, water, and sometimes lime or additives for flexibility and durability. Applied in layers, stucco hardens into a strong, weather-resistant surface that can be textured for decorative purposes.
Similarities to Cementitious Products They are based on Portland Cement They are mixed with water and harden through hydration They use sand as a main ingredient They are durable, weather-resistant, and non-combustible
Differences from Concrete Mortar and stucco use fine aggregates like sand, while concrete uses both fine and coarse aggregates like gravel Mortar is used for bonding, stucco for coating, while concrete is used for structural elements Mortar and stucco have lower compressive strength compared to concrete They are applied in thin layers with a trowel, while concrete is poured into forms in thicker sections Mortar and stucco are more flexible due to lime and additives, while concrete is more rigid and prone to cracking under movement
