What is the primary ingredient in traditional mortar?

The primary ingredient in traditional mortar is cement. Mortar is a mixture used to bond masonry units like bricks or stones together, and cement serves as the primary binding agent within this mix. When cement is combined with water and aggregates like sand, it forms a paste that hardens over time, allowing for strong adhesion among the masonry components.

Cement is key because it provides the compressive strength needed for the joints in masonry structures, ensuring the durability and stability of the overall construction. While sand, water, and lime are important components of the mortar as well, their roles are supplementary to that of cement. Sand acts as the aggregate that gives the mortar volume and certain workability characteristics, water enables the chemical hydration process, and lime can enhance workability and flexibility in some mortar formulations. However, it is the cement that fundamentally defines the mortar's strength and performance.