Initial setting time is the time when cement paste starts losing its plasticity after water is added, which for ordinary Portland cement is 30 minutes. Final setting time is when cement completely loses plasticity and attains firmness, recommended as when forms can be removed, and is 10 hours for ordinary Portland cement. Setting times can vary based on factors like cement fineness, water-cement ratio, and admixtures.

1. Concrete Technology
Setting time of Cement
By Mrs.S.M.Patil

2. Setting time of cement
• When water added to the cement then cement sets and
hardens. This setting time can vary depending on multiple
factors such as fineness of cement, water-cement ratio,
chemical content and admixtures.
Mainly we will measure two setting times.
• Initial Setting time
• Final Setting time.

3. Initial setting time
• It is the time interval between the time of adding water
to cement and the time when paste starts losing its
plasticity.
• It is expected that the wet mix can be moulded into any
shape within the initial setting time.
• For OPC, initial setting time is 30 min.

4. Final setting time
• It is the interval between the time of adding water to cement and the
time when cement completely loses its plasticity and attains
sufficient firmness.
• It is recommended to remove the sides of form work soon after the
final setting time except in the case of low-heat Cement.
• For OPC, Final setting time is 10 hours.