In this article, the effect of cement type on selected properties of plastering mortars containing a cellulose ether admixture was studied. In the research, commercial CEM I Portland cement, CEM II and CEM III, differing in the type and amount of mineral additives, and cement class, were used as binders. Tests of consistency, bulk density, water retention value (WRV), mechanical properties and calorimetric tests were performed. It was proved that the type of cement had no effect on water retention, which is regulated by the cellulose ether. All mortars modified with the admixture were characterized by WRV of about 99%. High water retention is closely related to the action of the cellulose ether admixture. As a result of the research, the possibility of using cement with additives as components of plasters was confirmed. However, attention should be paid to the consistency, mechanical properties of the tested mortars and changes in the pastes during the hydration process. Different effects of additives resulted from increasing or decreasing the consistency of mortars; the flow was in the range from 155 mm to 169 mm. Considering the compressive strength, all plasters can be classified as category III or IV, because the mortars attained the strength required by the standard, of at least 3.5 MPa. The processes of hydration of pastes were carried out with different intensity. In conclusion, the obtained results indicate the possibility of using CEM II and CEM III cements to produce plastering mortars, without changing the effect of water retention.
Keywords: bulk density; cellulose ether; cement paste hydration; cement plastering mortar; consistency; flexural and compressive strength; mineral additives; water retention.