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Nairobi, Kenya
Refractory cement (Fondu Brand) Max50 1000℃- Nairobi Kenya.
Fondu Max 50 is a high-performance calcium aluminate refractory binder designed for heat exposure up to 1,000°C. Featuring a smooth, fine-grained texture for excellent workability, it delivers rapid strength gain, exceptional thermal shock resistance, and strong chemical stability. Ideal for laying firebricks, patching furnace and boiler linings, and casting custom high-temperature structures.
Fondu Brand Max50 (also commonly referenced as Fondu Cement MAX 50 or Fondu Max50 Fine) is a high-performance calcium aluminate refractory cement formulated for medium- to high-temperature industrial and thermal applications. Unlike ordinary Portland cement, which relies on calcium silicates, Fondu Max50 relies on calcium aluminates, providing superior heat resistance, rapid setting, and resistance to chemical corrosion.
Chemical Composition (% by XRF)
| Constituent | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Al₂O₃ (Alumina) | ≥ 37.0% |
| CaO (Lime) | ≤ 39.8% |
| SiO₂ (Silica) | ≤ 6.0% |
| Fe₂O₃ (Iron oxide) | ≤ 18.5% |
| TiO₂ | < 4.0% |
| MgO | < 1.5% |
| SO₃ | < 0.4% |
| K₂O + Na₂O (alkalis) | < 0.4% |
Physical Properties
| Property | Specification | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| Blaine fineness | 3,600–4,400 cm²/g | ASTM C204 |
| Residue at 90 microns | < 8% | — |
| Bulk density | 1.16–1.37 g/cm³ (72.4–85.5 lb/ft³) | — |
| Specific gravity | ≈ 3.24 | — |
| Flow at 15 min | ≥ 30% | ASTM C1437 |
| Vicat initial set | ≥ 120 minutes | Modified ASTM C191 (EN 196 sand mortar) |
| Vicat final set | ≤ 240 minutes | Modified ASTM C191 |
| Pyrometric cone equivalent (neat paste) | Cone 8–9 (≈ 1,271°C / 2,320°F) | ASTM C24 |
Mechanical Properties — Compressive Strength
| Age | Minimum Strength | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| 6 hours | ≥ 20.0 MPa (2,900 psi) | ASTM C349 |
| 24 hours | ≥ 33.8 MPa (4,900 psi) | ASTM C349 |
| 28 days (typical, undegraded) | 50–80 MPa | EN 196-1 |
Note: EN 14647 requires initial set to occur no earlier than 90 minutes when tested per EN 196-3, distinguishing calcium aluminate cement from “flash-set” products despite its rapid strength gain after setting begins.
Heat of Hydration
Time Heat Released
6 hours 340 kJ/kg
24 hours 445 kJ/kg 5 days 445kJ/kg
Time Heat Released
6 hours 340 kJ/kg
24 hours 445 kJ/kg 5 days 445kJ/kg
This is notably higher and faster-releasing than Portland cement, which is a key consideration for mass-pour applications (risk of thermal cracking) but an advantage for cold-weather placement.
Thermal / Refractory Performance
Property Value
Softening/fusion resistance (neat paste) ≈ 1,271°C (2,320°F), PCE 8–9
Service temperature 1000℃
Atmosphere restriction Not suitable for reducing atmospheres due to iron oxide content
Property Value
Softening/fusion resistance (neat paste) ≈ 1,271°C (2,320°F), PCE 8–9
Service temperature 1000℃
Atmosphere restriction Not suitable for reducing atmospheres due to iron oxide content
Durability / Chemical Resistance
Exposure Performance
Sulfate attack Excellent resistance
Weak acids (pH > 4) Good resistance
Seawater / marine exposure Excellent
Efflorescence Minimal — does not release calcium hydroxide as a hydration product
Long-term conversion risk Hexagonal CAH₁₀/C₂AH₈ hydrates convert to cubic C₃AH₆ over time in warm/moist conditions, increasing porosity and reducing strength by up to 30–50% if not accounted for in design.
Exposure Performance
Sulfate attack Excellent resistance
Weak acids (pH > 4) Good resistance
Seawater / marine exposure Excellent
Efflorescence Minimal — does not release calcium hydroxide as a hydration product
Long-term conversion risk Hexagonal CAH₁₀/C₂AH₈ hydrates convert to cubic C₃AH₆ over time in warm/moist conditions, increasing porosity and reducing strength by up to 30–50% if not accounted for in design.
Key Advantages
. Smooth, Fine-Grained Texture: Features a fine, consistent particle size that creates smooth mortar joints, seamless protective coatings, and dense refractory linings without heavy air voids.
. High Heat & Thermal Resistance: Performs under continuous, high-temperature operations (Fondu Max 50 handles working thermal exposure up to 1,000°C–1,200°C, with higher-alumina variants taking up to 1,500°C) without losing structural integrity.
. Rapid Strength Gain & Fast Setting: Initial setting occurs within 2 to 4 hours, followed by rapid hardening—achieving high early compressive strength in as little as 6 to 24 hours. This drastically reduces equipment downtime during plant shutdowns.
. Thermal Shock Stability: Resistant to cracking, spalling, and deterioration caused by severe heating-cooling cycles or rapid furnace startups.
. Chemical & Corrosion Resistance: Resists acid attacks (pH ≥ 4), sulfates, alkalis, and aggressive wastewater environments where standard Portland cement degrades.
.Strong Bonding & Workability: Its smooth consistency offers superior adhesion for bonding firebricks, filling tight hairline joints, patching fine cracks, and troweling smooth protective layers.
. Cold-Weather Usability: Sets and hardens reliably in freezing temperatures down to -10°C, where conventional cements fail to hydrate properly.
. High Abrasion & Erosion Resistance: Hard, dense surface structure withstands heavy mechanical impact, wear, and physical erosion caused by high-velocity hot gases and particulate matter. Primary Applications
1. Refractory & High-Temperature Installations
. Furnace & Kiln Linings: Used to lay firebricks, construct monolithic linings, and repair hot zones in industrial furnaces, brick kilns, forge furnaces, and heat treatment chambers.
. Boilers & Incinerators: Provides protective, heat-retaining linings and joint seals for boilers, biomass burners, and waste incinerators.
. Flues, Stacks & Chimneys: Mortars and coats flue linings, exhaust ducts, and industrial chimneys to resist hot gas streams and acidic condensate.
. Domestic & Commercial Heating: Used for firebrick jointing in pizza ovens, domestic fireplaces, outdoor fire pits, and wood stoves.
. Smooth, Fine-Grained Texture: Features a fine, consistent particle size that creates smooth mortar joints, seamless protective coatings, and dense refractory linings without heavy air voids.
. High Heat & Thermal Resistance: Performs under continuous, high-temperature operations (Fondu Max 50 handles working thermal exposure up to 1,000°C–1,200°C, with higher-alumina variants taking up to 1,500°C) without losing structural integrity.
. Rapid Strength Gain & Fast Setting: Initial setting occurs within 2 to 4 hours, followed by rapid hardening—achieving high early compressive strength in as little as 6 to 24 hours. This drastically reduces equipment downtime during plant shutdowns.
. Thermal Shock Stability: Resistant to cracking, spalling, and deterioration caused by severe heating-cooling cycles or rapid furnace startups.
. Chemical & Corrosion Resistance: Resists acid attacks (pH ≥ 4), sulfates, alkalis, and aggressive wastewater environments where standard Portland cement degrades.
.Strong Bonding & Workability: Its smooth consistency offers superior adhesion for bonding firebricks, filling tight hairline joints, patching fine cracks, and troweling smooth protective layers.
. Cold-Weather Usability: Sets and hardens reliably in freezing temperatures down to -10°C, where conventional cements fail to hydrate properly.
. High Abrasion & Erosion Resistance: Hard, dense surface structure withstands heavy mechanical impact, wear, and physical erosion caused by high-velocity hot gases and particulate matter. Primary Applications
1. Refractory & High-Temperature Installations
. Furnace & Kiln Linings: Used to lay firebricks, construct monolithic linings, and repair hot zones in industrial furnaces, brick kilns, forge furnaces, and heat treatment chambers.
. Boilers & Incinerators: Provides protective, heat-retaining linings and joint seals for boilers, biomass burners, and waste incinerators.
. Flues, Stacks & Chimneys: Mortars and coats flue linings, exhaust ducts, and industrial chimneys to resist hot gas streams and acidic condensate.
. Domestic & Commercial Heating: Used for firebrick jointing in pizza ovens, domestic fireplaces, outdoor fire pits, and wood stoves.
2. Maintenance & Rapid Industrial Patching
. Emergency Hot-Spot Repairs: Used to seal cracks, fill gaps, and patch eroded or spalled refractory castable sections during brief maintenance windows.
. Precast Refractory Shapes: Casts custom heat-resistant blocks, burner tiles, lintels, and furnace doors.
. Emergency Hot-Spot Repairs: Used to seal cracks, fill gaps, and patch eroded or spalled refractory castable sections during brief maintenance windows.
. Precast Refractory Shapes: Casts custom heat-resistant blocks, burner tiles, lintels, and furnace doors.
3. Special Heavy Construction & Chemical Infrastructure
. Sewerage & Industrial Infrastructure: Applied in chemical plants, industrial drains, pipe linings, and municipal wastewater systems exposed to mild acids and sulfuric acid corrosion.
. Rapid Floor & Deck Repairs: Used in heavy-duty industrial flooring, loading docks, and airport runways requiring rapid curing under heavy dynamic loads.
. Sewerage & Industrial Infrastructure: Applied in chemical plants, industrial drains, pipe linings, and municipal wastewater systems exposed to mild acids and sulfuric acid corrosion.
. Rapid Floor & Deck Repairs: Used in heavy-duty industrial flooring, loading docks, and airport runways requiring rapid curing under heavy dynamic loads.
