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ALU melting

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vtsteam:
Eugene, I really didn't mean to play down Mike's mix, if it sounded that way -- I realized after my first reaction to Portland that the clay and perlite were what made it work well, and the cement just gives it shape and quick drying. In back of the hot face I'm sure the cement is well insulated by the perlite, so unaffected. It's actually a smart mix, and I like it. I'm sure you can melt ALU well with that.

And to be even more honest at this point, I really can't recommend a poP mix, since I'm just trying one out now, but I promise to tell (and show) how it works out, good or bad. I'm using equal parts poP, sand, and cold water for my mix.

See here for whatever happens:

http://madmodder.net/index.php/topic,10482.0.html

RussellT:
Hi Steve

Have you considered High Alumina Cement instead of Portland - a bit harder to find but not that difficult here.

Russell

Eugene:
I might just pick up on Norman's idea and use two or three pots of fire cement instead of the Portland in Mike's mix. I've got one to hand already.

Just to pick up me laddo in the video .... what a shame he shows such unsafe working practises. He's obviously a pleasant and inventive sort of cove with artistic talent and practical skills that I admire, but as the saying is "I've grown attached to my hands".

Eug

vtsteam:
Eugene, I don't know what is available over there, or for him when Norman built his. I used perlite and tubbed Rutland brand (US) furnace cement on my first furnace as the lid (not the body, which was strictly fireclay and sand, per Gingery.)

I found that the lid cracked flaked off in chunks and deteriorated fairly quickly and I was patching it frequently. Here (and it may be different where you are) tubbed wet furnace cement is made up of sodium silicate (water glass) and clay. It's main use is in fireplaces between frebricks, where it is well protected.

The label heat rating isn't very high for a metal melting furnace. In short, it works for aluminum, or did for me, but isn't very refractory against furnace flames, and requires frequent patching in my experience (and the brand and type available). Your mileage may vary.

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