cementonly

Cementonly is a term without a single, universal definition. In practice, it is used to describe cement-based formulations or concepts where cement plays the dominant role as the binder, with little to no inclusion of traditional reinforcing components or polymer binders. Because the term is context-dependent, its meaning varies across construction practice, materials science, and research settings.

In conventional cement-based applications, "cement-only" can refer to a cement paste consisting of cement and water without aggregates. These pastes are often studied for hydration behavior, used for thin coatings, or employed as a binding phase in sealants. They typically exhibit high shrinkage, limited toughness, and poor load-bearing performance compared with concretes containing aggregates.

In additive manufacturing and laboratory research, "cement-only" formulations may describe printable pastes or slurries that rely on cement hydration as the binder, sometimes with small amounts of rheology modifiers or accelerators. The goal is to simplify material supply and to investigate the fundamental properties of cementitious binders under controlled conditions.

Because cement production is energy-intensive and generates substantial carbon dioxide, discussions of "cement-only" approaches often address sustainability. Some research explores reducing cement content by adding supplementary cementitious materials or alternative binders, with the aim of maintaining workability and strength while lowering embodied carbon.