Refractory Cement

VICAL® Refractory Cements

As exclusive representative of the VICAL brand, we supply pure calcium aluminate cements in a range of grades. These are the specialist binder for monolithic refractories — castable, self-flowing, shotcrete and gunning — offering rapid hardening, high mechanical strength, excellent high-temperature performance and compatibility with low-cement, ultra-low-cement and pure corundum systems.

VICAL® Refractory Cements

Typical Analysis

Usual chemical composition — all grades

CompositionVICAL 71VICAL 72VICAL 80VICAL PXVICAL 68VICAL 21/25R
Al₂O₃ (%)68.7-70.568-7279.5-82.579.5-82.565.5-68.577.5-82
CaO (%)28.5-30.57-1116.2-17.816.5-1830-3317-22
SiO₂ (%)0.2-0.60.2-0.6<0.35<0.350.3-0.70.2-0.5
Fe₂O₃ (%)0.1-0.3<0.5<0.2<0.20.1-0.40.1-0.4

VICAL 72 vs VICAL 71 — the spinel cement

PropertyVICAL 71VICAL 72
Al₂O₃ (%)69.570.2
CaO (%)29.59.4
MgO (%)0.420.5
SiO₂ (%)0.30.3
CA phase (%)5920
CA₂ phase (%)388
MA spinel phase (%)-≈ 70
Blaine specific surface (cm²/g)41004100

A-series calcium aluminate cements — mechanical data

PropertyA600A700A900
Al₂O₃ (%)≥ 50.0≥ 51.0≥ 53.5
SiO₂ (%)≤ 7.8≤ 7.5≤ 5.5
Fe₂O₃ (%)≤ 2.5≤ 2.5≤ 2.5
Alkalis R₂O (%)≤ 0.4≤ 0.4≤ 0.4
Chloride (%)≤ 0.1≤ 0.1≤ 0.1
Residue on 325 mesh (%)≤ 15≤ 12≤ 8
Specific surface (m²/kg)≥ 300≥ 320≥ 350
Initial setting (min)≥ 45≥ 60≥ 90
Final setting (h)≤ 6≤ 6≤ 6
Flexural strength, 1 d (MPa)≥ 6.0≥ 6.5≥ 8.0
Flexural strength, 3 d (MPa)≥ 7.0≥ 7.5≥ 10.0
Compressive strength, 1 d (MPa)≥ 45≥ 55≥ 72
Compressive strength, 3 d (MPa)≥ 55≥ 65≥ 82

Key Properties

Main phasesCA, CA₂
Density2.90 - 3.30 g/cm³
PCE (refractoriness)up to 1810 °C
DurabilityMin. 12 months in dry storage