What Is Plastic Cement?

Plastic Cement is a specialty cement manufactured at CalPortland’s Oro Grande plant specifically for plaster and stucco applications. It is produced by intergrinding portland cement clinker with carefully selected plasticizing agents that enhance the workability, cohesion, and moisture retention of cement-based plaster systems.

Plastic cement is engineered to deliver the essential performance characteristics required for high-quality plaster and stucco finishes, including:

  • Adhesion: the ability to bond effectively to substrates
  • Cohesion: resistance to sagging and delamination
  • Workability: ease of placement, shaping, and finishing

Benefits of Plastic Cement

Plastic Cement is formulated specifically for plaster and stucco systems where workability and finish quality are critical. Key benefits include:

  • Superior board life for extended workability
  • Excellent workability for smooth application and finishing
  • Improved pumpability for efficient placement
  • High cohesive properties to resist sagging and separation
  • Enhanced moisture retention for better curing performance
  • Freeze/thaw resistance for long-term durability

These properties make Plastic Cement an ideal choice for professional plastering and stucco contractors.

Locations

{{activeLocation.title}}

Address

{{activeLocation.address.line_1}}, {{activeLocation.address.line_2}}

{{activeLocation.address.city}}, {{activeLocation.address.state}} {{activeLocation.address.zipcode}}

Phone

{{activeLocation.phone.number}}
Location Details Directions

Differences Between Plastic Cement & Portland Cement

Although Plastic Cement and Ordinary Portland Cement are both manufactured from Type II/V clinker, they serve very different purposes and comply with different industry standards.

Ordinary Portland Cement (Type II/V – ASTM C150)

  • Designed for use with coarse and fine aggregates in concrete
  • Meets ACI 318 Building Code Requirements for structural concrete
  • General-purpose cement with moderate to high sulfate resistance
  • Used in foundations, slabs, structural elements, and infrastructure

Plastic Cement (ASTM C1328 – Stucco Cement)

  • Designed for low-strength plaster and stucco applications
  • Typically used with plaster sand
  • Features a high water-to-cement ratio for increased workability
  • Formulated for greater cohesion and finishability
  • High limestone content and entrained air for improved performance
  • Provides enhanced freeze/thaw durability

Plastic Cement is not a structural cement and should never be substituted for portland cement in load-bearing concrete applications.

Common Product Applications

Plastic Cement is designed specifically for plaster-based systems, including:

  • Plaster and stucco applications
  • Packaged plaster products
  • Packaged finish-coat stucco systems

Its specialized formulation ensures smooth application, consistent performance, and high-quality surface finishes.

Precautions &
Proper Use
  • Plastic Cement is intended solely for use in Portland cement-based plaster and stucco applications
  • Always consult project specifications to ensure proper product selection
  • Contact with cement, including unhardened concrete, mortar, wet cement, or cement admixtures, can cause skin irritation, chemical burns, or serious eye damage
  • For full safety guidance, refer to the CalPortland Portland Cement SDS Report
Quality, Standards &
Compliance

Established in 1891, CalPortland continues to lead the industry with unsurpassed quality, technical excellence, and product innovation. Every product is manufactured using high-quality raw materials and rigorous quality control procedures to ensure consistent performance and reliability.

Plastic Cement meets the following standard:
ASTM C1328 – Standard Specification for Plastic (Stucco) Cement

Our dedication to precision manufacturing and continuous improvement ensures Plastic Cement delivers dependable performance on every plaster and stucco project.