What is the primary binding material used to make mortar?

Portland Cement is the primary binding material used to make mortar due to its excellent binding properties and strength. Mortar serves the crucial role of binding building materials such as bricks, stone, and concrete blocks together. When mixed with water and aggregates, Portland Cement creates a paste that hardens over time, ensuring a strong, durable bond.

Portland Cement is favored for its ability to set quickly while still allowing for some workability during application. Additionally, it has good resistance to various environmental conditions, making it suitable for both interior and exterior applications. Its formulation includes a mix of limestone, clay, and other minerals, which undergoes a chemical reaction during hydration to achieve its strength.

Gypsum, while it can be used in some types of mortar, is more commonly associated with plaster and is not as effective as Portland Cement for structural bonding. Quicklime is primarily used in other applications such as soil stabilization and not as a direct binder for mortar. Concrete mix includes aggregates and is used to create concrete rather than mortar, which is a more paste-like substance primarily for masonry work. This distinction highlights why Portland Cement is the standard choice for making mortar.