Choosing between a cementitious non-shrink grout and an epoxy non-shrink grout is one of the most consequential decisions in any equipment-foundation or anchoring job. Pick wrong and you risk loss of effective bearing area, baseplate edge lift, chemical attack or premature regrouting, often on equipment that is expensive to take offline. Yet most manufacturer pages only push their own product, leaving engineers without a like-for-like view. This guide compares the two families head to head across the criteria that actually matter on site: compressive and bond strength, flowability and placement, chemical and dynamic-load resistance, thermal behaviour, cost and long-term durability. You will learn how each grout behaves under static versus vibrating loads, why epoxy is mandatory for some duties and overkill for others, and how to read the standards (ASTM C1107 for cementitious; proprietary TDS data for epoxy). We map equivalent products across Fosroc, Sika, MC-Bauchemie, Master Builders Solutions, STP, UltraTech and Dr. Fixit so you can specify with confidence, and explain where Space Arc Engineering can supply material and provide applicator support for critical pours.

The two families: what they are and how they cure

A non-shrink cementitious grout is a factory-blended, hydraulic-cement system (cement, graded aggregate, and shrinkage-compensating and flow additives) that you mix with water on site. It hydrates like concrete, develops strength over days, and remains a mineral material that is breathable and broadly compatible with the concrete foundation beneath it. In India these grouts are typically specified to ASTM C1107 (packaged dry, hydraulic-cement, non-shrink grout) or IS-based requirements, which set flow, strength and dimensional-stability criteria. An epoxy non-shrink grout is a three-part system: an epoxy resin, a hardener and a blend of specially graded inert aggregate fillers. It cures by chemical reaction rather than hydration, so no water is involved. The result is a dense, near-impermeable polymer-bound material with very high compressive and bond strength, excellent chemical resistance and outstanding resistance to vibration and dynamic loading. Epoxy grouts are not covered by ASTM C1107; performance is defined by each manufacturer’s technical data sheet, so always compare on TDS values, not assumptions. The trade-offs are higher cost, a fixed working time once mixed, and a thermal expansion behaviour that differs from concrete, which must be respected in design and pour geometry.

Strength, bearing area and dynamic-load performance

Both families can be formulated for high early and ultimate compressive strength, but epoxy grouts generally reach higher ultimate compressive and tensile/bond strengths and, critically, deliver a higher and more reliable effective bearing area (EBA) under the baseplate, the percentage of plate area actually in contact and load-transferring. High EBA matters most for precisely aligned, heavily loaded equipment. The decisive difference is dynamic loading. Epoxy’s polymer matrix resists vibration, fatigue and creep far better, which is why it is the default for turbines, compressors, reciprocating engines, heavy presses, crane rails and offshore or impact-loaded bases. Cementitious grouts perform excellently under predominantly static and moderate dynamic loads, structural baseplates, columns, anchor bolts, bridge bearings, precast connections, where their strength is more than adequate and their mineral nature is an advantage. For high service temperatures, verify limits on the TDS: epoxy systems carry a maximum service temperature, whereas cementitious grouts tolerate elevated temperatures well but should not be used where aggressive chemicals are the governing concern. Never design to a single headline strength number, refer to the full TDS for EBA, creep and temperature data.

Chemical resistance, durability and thermal behaviour

Where chemical exposure is in play, epoxy is usually the clear winner. Its very low water absorption and dense, impermeable matrix resist oils, fuels, dilute acids and alkalis, and process chemicals, making it the standard for chemical plants, refineries, fertiliser and pharma plants, effluent areas and wash-down zones. Cementitious grout, being a porous mineral, is vulnerable to acid attack and chemical ingress and is better protected (or replaced by epoxy) in such environments. Durability also depends on the substrate relationship. Cementitious grout shares concrete’s thermal expansion and breathability, so it copes well with temperature cycling and trapped moisture, and is easier to repair locally. Epoxy expands and contracts more than concrete with temperature, so large or thick pours need correct bay sizing, edge detailing and movement allowance to avoid stress cracking, this is a design and workmanship issue, not a defect. For outdoor or wet static applications, a quality non-shrink cementitious grout is durable and cost-effective; for chemically aggressive or dynamically loaded duties, epoxy’s durability advantage justifies its premium. When in doubt about a specific chemical or temperature regime, confirm suitability against the product TDS or ask a specialist.

Placement, curing and common site mistakes

Cementitious grout is more forgiving to place: pre-wet the concrete to a saturated surface-dry condition, mix to the specified flowable consistency, pour from one side to avoid air entrapment, and then water-cure or apply a curing membrane, missing the cure is the single most common cause of surface cracking and dusting. Working time is comparatively generous. Epoxy grout is less forgiving and demands discipline. The substrate and steel must be clean, dry and oil-free; temperature affects flow and pot life sharply; the full kit must be mixed in the correct ratio (never part-mix a kit); and placement must be continuous because the mixed material has a finite working time. Effective head, vent holes and correct form sealing are essential to achieve full EBA without voids. Typical mistakes across both systems include grouting in unsuitable temperatures, inadequate surface preparation, exceeding the maximum pour depth in one lift, and reusing or extending material with unauthorised additives. For large machine bases, dynamic equipment or chemically exposed pours, this is where Space Arc Engineering’s applicator support adds value, correct product selection, mock-ups, temperature management and supervised placement to protect your warranty and uptime.

Cost: first cost versus life-cycle cost

On first cost, cementitious grout is significantly cheaper, often a fraction of epoxy per unit volume, and epoxy can run up to several times the price of a standard cementitious grout. Epoxy also carries higher labour skill requirements and tighter site conditions. So for routine static baseplates, anchor-bolt pockets, columns and general civil grouting, cementitious is the economical and correct default. The calculation changes for critical, dynamic or chemically exposed equipment. There, epoxy’s resistance to vibration, creep and chemical attack means fewer regrouts, less downtime and longer service life, so the higher material cost is offset over the asset’s life. The right way to budget is by application class, not by comparing per-bag prices. Use a cheap cementitious grout where it performs, and reserve epoxy for the duties that genuinely need it. Space Arc Engineering supplies both families across all seven brands and can help you cost a project line-by-line, matching grade and chemistry to each location so you neither over-specify epoxy nor under-specify on a critical base.

Brand options across the seven manufacturers

Space Arc Engineering is an authorized distributor and applicator for Fosroc, Sika, MC-Bauchemie, Master Builders Solutions, STP, UltraTech and Dr. Fixit, so you can standardise on one supplier across both grout families. Cementitious (general-purpose to high-precision): Fosroc Conbextra GP / GP2 and the Conbextra high-flow range; Sika’s SikaGrout range (including the high-precision grout formerly sold as MasterFlow 928); Master Builders Solutions MasterFlow cementitious grouts; MC-Bauchemie precision (Emcekrete-type) grouts; UltraTech non-shrink grout; STP cementitious grouts; and Dr. Fixit grouting solutions. These suit anchors, baseplates, columns and structural pours. Epoxy (high-strength, chemical- and vibration-resistant): Fosroc Conbextra EP series (e.g. EP10 for thin sections and dynamic/chemical exposure, EP150 and EPGP/EPG for deeper pours); Master Builders Solutions MasterFlow 648 (now also sold as SikaFlow 648); Sika epoxy grout systems; MC-Bauchemie epoxy (Ortolan-type) grouts; and epoxy systems from STP and Dr. Fixit. Always confirm the exact current grade and its TDS for gap thickness, EBA, chemical list and service temperature before ordering. Space Arc can advise on the closest equivalent if your usual brand is unavailable.

Related: Browse all Grouts & Anchors products and brands available from Space Arc Engineering.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between cementitious and epoxy non-shrink grout?

Cementitious grout is a cement-based material that cures with water and suits static and moderately dynamic loads at lower cost. Epoxy grout is a resin-based system that cures chemically, offering higher strength, far better chemical resistance and superior performance under vibration, at a higher price. Choose by application: cementitious for general structural and anchoring work, epoxy for dynamic or chemically exposed equipment.

Is epoxy grout always better than cementitious grout?

No. Epoxy is better for dynamic loads, high vibration and chemical exposure, but it is more expensive, more demanding to place, and expands more than concrete with temperature. For static baseplates, columns, anchor bolts and bridge bearings, a quality non-shrink cementitious grout is more economical and entirely fit for purpose. Match the grout to the duty rather than defaulting to epoxy everywhere.

When must I use epoxy grout instead of cementitious?

Use epoxy when the base sees significant vibration, impact or fatigue (turbines, compressors, reciprocating engines, heavy presses, crane rails), when high effective bearing area is critical, or when there is exposure to oils, fuels, acids or process chemicals, such as in refineries, chemical, fertiliser and pharma plants, and offshore structures. Confirm gap thickness and service temperature against the product TDS.

How much more does epoxy grout cost than cementitious grout in India?

Epoxy grout typically costs several times more per unit volume than standard cementitious grout, and also needs more skilled labour and controlled conditions. Exact pricing depends on brand, grade, pack size, pour volume and project location, so prices should be confirmed at the time of order. The right approach is to budget by application: use cementitious where it performs and reserve epoxy for critical duties so total project cost stays optimal.

Which grout is best for anchor bolts and machine baseplates?

For anchor bolts and general structural baseplates under static or moderate loads, a non-shrink cementitious grout such as Fosroc Conbextra GP2, a SikaGrout product, MC-Bauchemie precision grout, MasterFlow cementitious grout, UltraTech, STP or Dr. Fixit is ideal. For precisely aligned, heavily loaded or vibrating machinery, an epoxy grout such as Fosroc Conbextra EP10 or MasterFlow 648 / SikaFlow 648 is the right choice. Match grade to gap thickness and load.

Does cementitious grout need curing and does epoxy grout need it too?

Cementitious grout must be water-cured or membrane-cured after placement; skipping the cure causes cracking, dusting and strength loss, and the concrete should be pre-saturated before the pour. Epoxy grout cures chemically and does not need water curing, but it requires a clean, dry, oil-free substrate, correct mix ratio and controlled temperature, and must be placed continuously within its working time.

Where can I buy cementitious and epoxy grout with application support in India?

Space Arc Engineering supplies both cementitious and epoxy non-shrink grouts across Fosroc, Sika, MC-Bauchemie, Master Builders Solutions, STP, UltraTech and Dr. Fixit, and provides applicator support for critical equipment pours. For product selection, equivalents, pricing and site supervision, call +91 9999155255 or email info@space-arc.com.

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