QA

Question: What Is Refractory Concrete

Refractory concrete is heat-resistant concrete made with high alumina or calcium-aluminate. Typically used in high heat applications such as furnaces, fireplaces, or wood stoves.

What is refractory cement?

Refractory cement uses binding materials with improved thermodynamic properties to reduce the risk of mechanical failure. Fused minerals like aluminum oxide, or alumina, are used to bind coarse aggregate materials and provide superior temperature resistant properties without reducing the formability of the material.

How do you make refractory concrete?

Formula 1 part Furnace cement + 4 parts Perlite (This is by volume. For example, if you use ½ gallon of Furnace cement, you will need to purchase 2 gallons of Perlite.)Refractory Cement Recipe #2 Furnace cement. Perlite. Water.

What cement is used in refractory concrete?

The main ingredient used for making refractory concrete is high alumina cement or calcium aluminate cement. When high alumina cement undergoes high temperature, they will experience a little amount of expansion but it would have the considerable strength to take the usual load.

Is refractory cement strong?

Properties of Refractory Concrete: The Refractory concrete has good compressive strength. Refractory concrete can withstand at extreme temperatures without any disintegration. Refractory Concrete also has good Tensile strength. It also has a very less amount of shrinkage as compared to conventional concrete.

What is the difference between Portland cement and refractory cement?

The dry refractory mix contains the same type of hydraulic cement used in making concrete (Lumnite or Portland cement). However, unlike concrete, which uses chemically inert aggregate, refractory materials use a base aggregate material that is not chemically inert.

What is the difference between refractory cement and refractory mortar?

Refractory cement, also known as refractory mortar, is what’s used to secure the bricks together and create the desired structure. It has an improved thermodynamic property in comparison to regular mortar, making it the perfect compliment to firebrick.

What is firebrick grog?

The mix of Firebrick Grog which is a refractory or heat resistant aggregate, mixed with a heat resistant cement, like Cement Fondu, is often referred to as castable, which is suitable for making pizza ovens and other outdoor ovens. Firebrick Grog is also suitable for the roman block method of mould making.

Can I mix refractory cement with Portland cement?

Overview of the Brick Oven Assembly, Refractory Mortar The site-mixed mortar can be made with standard Portland cement, or with refractory cement that includes Calcium Aluminate.

Is concrete fireproof?

All concrete and masonry products have to be tested before they can be declared fireproof or fire resistant. Over decades, these tests have proven that concrete is the most fire-resistant building material. Because the ingredients in concrete are chemically inert, they are nearly incombustible.

What are the components of refractory cement?

Refractory mortar is a mix of cement, sand, fireclay and, other specialized ingredients such as calcium aluminate. Fireclay is a set of various clays that can resist heat up to 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Just think of this as clay that has special heat resistant properties.

Can you mix perlite with cement?

Perlite concrete mixed at a ratio of 1 part cement to 6 parts perlite has an insulation value, or “k” value, of 0.64 and a compressive strength of 125 to 200 pounds per square inch. At a ratio of 1 part cement to 4 parts perlite, you achieve a “k” value of 0.83 and compressive strength of 350 to 500 pounds per inch.

Can cement be used as refractory?

Calcium Aluminate Cements It is common practice to combine a dense hot-face refractory concrete with an insulating backing concrete in order to control the thermal gradient in the furnace wall and limit heat losses. In extreme cases, different grades of CAC (40–70 per cent Al2O3) may be used in the cold and hot faces.

How long does it take refractory cement to dry?

The refractory should be allowed to cure for approximately 24 hours before firing. This is an important time, and the longer you can wait, the better. As with concrete, keep the surface from drying out by covering with a wet cloth or burlap if the weather is hot or dry.

How hot can refractory cement get?

High temperature refractory cements are extreme temperature insulation that can withstand operating temperatures up to 2900°F.

How do you remove refractory cement?

Refractory demolition or removal can be done by high pressure water – hydrodemolition, by robotic breakers, or manually with handheld chipping hammers. The size of the vessel and environment can be a determining factor into which method is best. When possible hydrodemolition is the preferred method.

Can I use normal cement in a fireplace?

Most mortar is fireproof to some extent. The materials of clay, cement, lime and sand are naturally resistant to fire and heat. This mixture of mortar is easy to mix up and is ideal for use around fireplaces and other areas where there is a risk of fire or extreme heat.

What type of mortar do you use for firebrick?

Mortar the Firebrick Firebrick is mortared with refractory cement, which, unlike regular masonry mortar, can withstand high heat. Refractory cement comes premixed in a bucket and has the consistency of peanut butter. Pro tip: A margin trowel makes it easier to scoop cement out of the bucket and butter the bricks.

What is refractory mortar used for?

What is refractory mortar? Hydraulic refractory mortar is a specially-engineered blend of specific cements and aggregates that gives the mortar unique heat-resistance and thermal characteristics for use in high-temperature applications such as chimneys, fire pits, barbeques, and pizza ovens.

Why is firebrick so expensive?

The price of a good quality firebrick is currently around $2.45+ each. Red clay brick. Clay bricks are made from clay and fired in a kiln. They are typically made from local clay, as shipping is too expensive, and fired to between 2000F – 3000F (high enough to fuse the minerals).

How do you use refractory cement?

Only mix an amount that can be used within 20-30 minutes after adding water as cement sets up fast. Mix thoroughly, taking care not to lose any water. While wearing gloves, take a handful of the material and form it into a ball. Toss the ball an inch into the air a dozen times.