HIGH-ALUMINA CEMENT - PRESENT STATE OF KNOWLEDGE

The status quo of high alumina cement (otherwise known as calcium alum inate cement) is outlined. Topics highlighted include manufacture, hyd ration, the conversion process. admixtures, durability, refractory usa ge, oilwell cementing applications, blended systems and the basis for safe utilisation. It is pointed out that despite the well publicised f ailures which arose in the 1970's, if high alumina cement is used corr ectly as recommended, it is a good construction material to employ, pa rticularly for those situations in which its special properties like r esistance to chemical attack, slow setting coupled with high early str ength, can be advantageously used.