The concrete commonly used to make concrete blocks is a mixture of powdered Portland cement,

water, sand, and gravel. This produces a light gray block with a fine surface texture and a high
compressive strength. In general, the concrete mixture used for blocks has a higher percentage of
sand and a lower percentage of gravel and water than the concrete mixtures used for general
construction purposes. This produces a very dry, stiff mixture that holds its shape when it is
removed from the block mold. The production of concrete blocks consists of four basic processes:
mixing, molding, curing, and cubing. The dry materials are blended; a small amount of water is
added to the mixer. The concrete is then mixed for six to eight minutes. In the block machine, the
concrete is forced downward into molds. The molds consist of an outer mold box containing
several mold liners. The liners determine the outer shape of the block and the inner shape of the
block cavities. As many as 15 blocks may be molded at one time. When the molds are full, the
concrete is compacted by the weight of the upper mold head coming down on the mold cavities.
This compaction may be supplemented by hydraulic pressure cylinders acting on the mold head.
Most block machines also use a short burst of mechanical vibration to further aid compaction. The
compacted blocks are pushed down and out of the molds onto a flat steel pallet. The pallet and
blocks are pushed out of the machine and onto a chain conveyor. In some operations the blocks
then pass under a rotating brush which removes loose material from the top of the blocks. The
whole curing cycle takes about 24 hours.

The concrete frequently used to build solid blocks could be a mix of handled Portland cement,
water, aggregates. This conveys a light grey block with a well exterior and a high compressive
strength. The generation of solid squares comprises four essential procedures: mixing, molding,
curing, and cubing. The dry materials are mixed; a very little measure of water is added to the
mixer. The materials are blended for six to eight minutes. In the block machine, the solid is
constrained descending into mould. The mould comprises an external form box containing a few
type liners. The liners decide the external state of the square and the internal state of the square
pits. Upwards of 15 blocks would possibly be shaped at only once. At the point once the mould
are full, the solid is compacted by the heaviness of the upper type head descending on the form
pits. Hydraulic pressure cylinders performing on the mould head might increase this compaction.
Most block machines in addition utilize a short burst of mechanical vibration to additionally
facilitate compaction. The compacted blocks are pushed discouraged of the molds onto a level
steel bed. The bed and squares are hard-pressed out of the machine and onto a chain transport. In
a few activities the squares at that time go under a pivoting brush that expels free material from
the highest of the blocks. The entire curing rotation takes around twenty-four hours.