Difference Between Mortar and Concrete

At the building of a building you need many things. It starts with a concrete foundation and goes over walls with stones and mortar to wood in the roof structure or the tiles. Concrete and mortar, what's the difference?

These are differences in composition

• Both are mixtures of cement, water, necessary additives depending on the season and so-called aggregates in the form of gravel or sand. The maximum grain size for sand is 2 mm.
• For mortar, sand or gravel is used up to a maximum grain size of 4 mm, preferably as small as possible.
• Concrete starts with a grain size of 4 mm with gravel and can also be much coarse-grained. That depends on the application.
• In the case of mortar, for example, lime can also be added, which is again not possible with concrete due to its use.
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Concrete and mortar - difference and correct use

The main difference between concrete and mortar is that mortar ...

How to use concrete or mortar

• Mortar serves as a connecting layer between the different types of brick or also for Plastering from walls and ceilings. It is made into a pulpy mixture and applied between the stones. These can still be aligned and the connecting layer, the mortar, then hardens due to the chemical reaction of the binding agent, cement or lime. The wall maintains its stability.
• Concrete is used very differently. In contrast to mortar, it can be viewed as an independent building material. Due to its coarse grain, it has self-supporting properties and can, for example, be used as a wall without additional stones.
• Entire components can be created with concrete. These are foundations walls, Ceiling parts, bridge parts, window sills and much more. Depending on what it is used for, the grain size of the aggregate and the additional use of steel reinforcements within the concrete are determined.

As you can see, mortar and concrete are indispensable in building, even if there are fundamental similarities as well as major differences.