Where To Buy Ciment Fondu: A Comprehensive Guide

Ciment Fondu is a calcium aluminate-based hydraulic binder and the world's first commercially manufactured calcium aluminate cement. It is produced by Imerys Aluminates and distributed by Target Products Ltd. and Kerneos, among others. Ciment Fondu is used in a wide range of applications, including as a reagent in formulated products, as a hydraulic binder base for refractory and specialty concrete, and as an accelerator for Portland cements. It is known for its quick hardening and drying, high-temperature resistance, and excellent mechanical strength.

Ciment Fondu's uses in civil engineering

Ciment Fondu is the world's first commercially manufactured calcium aluminate cement. It was initially developed to meet the demand for a cement that was resistant to sulphates. It has since been used in a wide range of applications, from construction to sculpture, thanks to its rapid setting time, strength, and durability.

In civil engineering, Ciment Fondu is used in projects that require rapid hardening and high-performance properties. For example, it is well-suited for products that need to be resistant to abrasion, mechanical shock, and intermediate temperature exposure. Its quick-setting properties make it ideal for small projects where operations need to resume quickly.

The cement is also known for its high temperature resistance when used with suitable aggregates. It can be used in concrete work at temperatures as low as -10°C, making it suitable for projects in cold environments.

Ciment Fondu is a hydraulic binder composed mainly of calcium aluminate, with an alumina content of approximately 40%. It is a very dark grey colour and does not contain any additives or crystalline silica.

The versatility and resistance of Ciment Fondu make it a popular choice for civil engineering applications, where it can be used alone or mixed with other materials to suit the specific requirements of a project.

Ciment Fondu's applications in building chemistry

Ciment Fondu is the world's first commercially manufactured calcium aluminate cement. It was initially developed in response to the demand for a cement offering sulphate resistance. However, further research revealed that it had a wide range of applications in building chemistry.

Ciment Fondu is ideally suited for refractory and construction chemistry applications. Its primary mineralogical phase, calcium aluminate (CaAl₂O₄), imparts excellent mechanical strength to mortars and concretes. It is suitable for refractory applications where iron oxide can be tolerated (non-reducing atmospheres).

One of the key advantages of Ciment Fondu is its rapid hardening and drying properties. It can accelerate the setting time of traditional cement and lime from 3 to 30 minutes, allowing a quick return to operations (after 6 hours) and drying after 48 hours. This makes it suitable for projects where time is a critical factor.

Another important feature of Ciment Fondu is its high-temperature resistance when used with suitable aggregates. It can be used for concrete work in temperatures as low as -10°C, making it ideal for projects in cold climates or cold rooms. Additionally, it exhibits excellent resistance to abrasion, mechanical shock, and other high-performance requirements.

The applications of Ciment Fondu are diverse and include reveals, edges, sealing hinges, fences, lintels, shop floors, industrial floors, barbecues, fire drill areas, ovens, incinerator walls, sewage and wastewater systems, seaside projects, agricultural buildings, and agri-food industries.

In summary, Ciment Fondu, with its unique properties, has revolutionised the construction industry by providing a versatile and resistant product that can be used alone or mixed with other materials. Its rapid setting, hardening, and drying properties, along with its ability to withstand extreme temperatures, make it a preferred choice for specialised applications in building chemistry.

Ciment Fondu's advantages over Portland cement

Ciment Fondu is the world's first commercially manufactured calcium aluminate cement. It was initially developed in response to the demand for a cement that was resistant to sulphates. However, it has since been used in a wide range of applications due to its chemical, mineralogical and physical properties.

Speed

Ciment Fondu is a quick-setting cement, achieving its full strength in 24 hours. When used as an accelerator for Portland cement, it can reduce the setting time from 3 to 30 minutes. This means that projects can be completed much faster, with a quicker return to operations.

Hardening and Drying

Ciment Fondu is a hydraulic binder with an alumina content of approximately 40%. This allows it to harden and dry rapidly. It can be considered fully dry after 48 hours, which is significantly faster than Portland cement, which can take several weeks to harden.

Temperature Resistance

Ciment Fondu has excellent resistance to heat, thermal cycles and high temperatures. When used with suitable aggregates, it can be used at temperatures of up to 1,250°C. This makes it suitable for a wide range of applications, including outdoor projects and industrial uses.

Abrasion and Shock Resistance

The primary mineralogical phase of Ciment Fondu is calcium aluminate (CaAl₂O₄), which imparts excellent mechanical strength to mortars and concretes. It is highly resistant to abrasion and mechanical shock, making it ideal for projects that require durability and toughness.

Chemical Resistance

Unlike Portland cement, Ciment Fondu does not release lime during hydration. This gives it good chemical resistance to acid corrosion and a large number of aggressive substances. It is also resistant to certain types of corrosion, such as water containing sulphates and mineral salts.

Versatility

Ciment Fondu is versatile and can be used alone or mixed with other materials. It can be used as a reagent in formulated products, a hydraulic binder base for refractory and specialty concrete, or as an accelerator for Portland cements. Its versatility allows sculptors and builders to create a wide range of projects, from small sculptures to large outdoor constructions.

Safety

Ciment Fondu does not contain any additives or crystalline silica, which can be hazardous to health. While it is still important to wear protective gear when working with any form of cement, including Ciment Fondu, its lack of additives may make it a safer option compared to Portland cement.

Ciment Fondu's suitability for refractory applications

Ciment Fondu is a versatile and resistant calcium aluminate cement that can be used in refractory applications. It is suitable for use in both mortars and concretes, depending on what it is mixed with.

When used in refractory applications, Ciment Fondu exhibits excellent mechanical strength and is resistant to high temperatures, mechanical shock, and abrasion. It is also quick-drying and quick-hardening, making it ideal for projects where a rapid return to operations is necessary.

One important consideration when using Ciment Fondu in refractory applications is that it is only suitable for non-reducing atmospheres where iron oxide can be tolerated. Additionally, it should not be used in applications that will come into contact with foodstuffs or potable water, as it does not have the necessary Health Compliance Certificate (HCC).

Ciment Fondu can be used as a binder for refractory brick masonries when mixed with an alumina specialty aggregate base. This mixture can create lasting joints in masonry elements and is perfect for creating refractory brick masonries such as barbecues, fireplaces, chimneys, and furnaces.

The rapid hardening and drying properties of Ciment Fondu make it a popular choice for refractory applications where time is of the essence. Its high-temperature resistance and mechanical strength further add to its suitability for specialized applications. However, it is important to note that Ciment Fondu should not be mixed with regular cement for refractory applications, as it will lose its temperature resistance properties.

Ciment Fondu's use in formulated products

Ciment Fondu is used in a wide range of applications, including in formulated products used in building chemistry. Its primary mineralogical phase is calcium aluminate (CaAl₂O₄), which imparts excellent mechanical strength to mortars and concretes.

In formulated products, Ciment Fondu is used as a reagent or as the main binder for a variety of products, including fast-setting mortar, tile adhesive, self-levelling products, and more. When used as a reagent, it reacts with other substances to bring about a desired chemical or physical change in the final product. As a binder, it holds the other materials together, giving the product its shape and strength.

One of the key advantages of using Ciment Fondu in formulated products is its ability to accelerate the setting and hardening process. When added to regular specialty binders, it can reduce the hardening time of concretes and mortars from 30 minutes to as little as 3 minutes. This quicker setting time allows for a faster return to operations on small projects, often within 6 hours.

Additionally, Ciment Fondu enhances the performance characteristics of the formulated products. It provides excellent resistance to heat, thermal cycles, and abrasion. Its chemical composition also gives it good chemical resistance to acid corrosion and a wide range of aggressive substances. These properties make it particularly useful in applications where the product will be exposed to intense conditions or corrosive environments.

Ciment Fondu's versatility allows it to be used alone or mixed with other substances. When used on its own or as a hydraulic binder base for specialty concretes, it can produce a number of specific properties, such as high-temperature resistance and rapid hardening. This adaptability makes it a valuable component in formulated products, where it can be tailored to meet the specific requirements of each application.

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