Sand: Sand is a fundamental ingredient in dry mortar, typically making up the largest proportion of the mixture. It provides bulk to the mortar and acts as a filler. The quality and grading of sand can impact the workability and strength of the mortar. Coarse, fine, or medium sand may be used, depending on the specific application and requirements.

Cement: Cement serves as the binding agent in dry mortar. The most common type of cement used in dry mortar formulations is Portland cement. When mixed with water, cement undergoes a chemical reaction known as hydration, which results in the formation of a strong, rigid structure. The type and amount of cement used can influence the mortar’s strength, durability, and setting time.

Additives: Additives are essential components in dry mortar that are added in smaller quantities but have a significant impact on the mortar’s properties. These additives are incorporated to improve various characteristics of the dry mortar mix. Common additives include:

Plasticizers: Enhance workability by improving the mortar’s flow and reducing water demand.
Retarders: Delay the setting time of the mortar, which is useful when extended working time is needed.

Accelerators: Speed up the setting time, beneficial in cold weather conditions.

Air-Entraining Agents: Create small air bubbles in the mortar, improving its resistance to freezing and thawing.

Water-Repellent Agents: Enhance the mortar’s resistance to moisture penetration, making it suitable for wet environments.

Colorants: Add pigments to achieve specific aesthetic finishes.

The combination and proportions of these components can be adjusted to create different types of dry mortar tailored to specific construction applications. For example, masonry mortar may contain a different mix of additives compared to plastering mortar to meet the respective requirements of bricklaying and wall finishing.

In summary, the primary components of dry mortar are sand, cement, and additives. These ingredients are carefully mixed in various proportions to create a versatile construction material that can be customized to meet specific project needs, ranging from masonry and plastering to tiling and flooring. The additives play a crucial role in enhancing the mortar’s workability, setting time, durability, and other important properties.