Cement Shelf Life

[JoshRogan]

Out of curiosity - what happens when a bag of cement goes beyond the shelf life stamped on the side of the bag? (to be honest, I cant actually read the 'dots' that should make up the date!).

I've done a little searching and it seems to be related to the additives they put into the cement to reduce chances of some skin disorder because of the chromium thats in cement (is that right?!).

So, the strength of the cement is not really effected by this sell by date, but its more of a safety/handling issue?

Cheers in advance.

C.

[JohnD]

It will get lumpy, by absorbing moisture from the air. and may set into a bag-shaped block.

For age, the advice is usually not to use any cement that has lumps in it that cannot easily be broken up in the fingers.

It used to be possible to buy a long-life cement, that was granulated, with a moisture-resistant coating on the granules. The coating got broken and eroded once you vigorously mixed it with aggregate.

[noseall]

agree with JohnD, though you can use crumbly but still soluble cement in concrete.