Furnace Cement vs Refractory Cement | Difference Between Them

If you are looking for cement for building high-temperature applications like fireplaces, boilers, and so on then either furnace or refractory cement will get your job done.

Both furnace cement and refractory cement are suitable for use in high-temperature applications. But in many scenarios, you will get a massive difference between these two types of cement.

If you are confused between these two types of cement, then this article can help you to clear your confusion.

Here, we have discussed the differences between furnaces and refractory cement as well as the advantages and disadvantages of these two. So, without any further ado, let’s find out the differences now.

Side-by-Side Comparison Between Furnace Cement and Refractory Cement

Both furnace cement and refractory cement are designed to sustain higher temperatures. But you will find a massive temperature withstand limit between these two types of cement. Besides that, they have differences in composition, durability, applications, etc. Here we have provided the differences between these two types of cement.

Differentiate Parameters	Furnace Cement	Refractory Cement
Materials Used	Silica, alumina, and other additives.	A higher percentage of alumina, fire clay, silica, and other additives.
Temperature Limit	Up to 2500°F	Up to 4000°F
Durability	Lower	Higher
Setting Time	Lower	Higher
Techniques of Implementation	Easier	Complicated

Now let’s interpret the parameters.

Used Materials and Temperature Tolerance

If we look at the materials that are used in both types of cement, we can see that, the materials are nearly the same. But, in refractory cement, the percentage of alumina is higher and fireclay is used also. Due to this reason, the temperature tolerance of refractory cement is way higher than Furnace cement.

From the table, you can see that furnace cement can tolerate up to 2500°F or 1370°C and on the other hand, refractory cement can tolerate up to 4000°F or 2000°C.

Implementation Method 

When it comes to implementation, furnace cement takes the lead. Furnace cement is easy to apply. With the help of a putty knife, you can easily apply this. On the other hand, the implementation technique of refractory cement is a little bit complicated. For applying this cement, you will need to use a casting mold.

Besides the easy implementation, furnace cement has a lower setting time. Compared to refractory cement, furnace cement can be set very quickly.

Longevity

Durability is one of the major factors for cement. When you are using cement for high-temperature applications, you must focus on the durability part. For better durability, you will need to choose refractory cement. At extreme temperatures, it provides a rock-solid performance, doesn’t break down nor a single crack can be founded.

However, at extreme temperature, furnace cement failed to withstand and break down or crack generates. 

Our Verdict

Both furnace and refractory cement are known as the best cement in the market. According to us, 

Furnace cement has a quick setting time and you can work with it very easily. Besides that, you can get it at a lower cost. 

However, while working with this type of cement, you will need to sacrifice strength and durability. Moreover, you won’t get higher heat resistance.

On the other hand, for higher temperature application and durability, refractory cement is the ideal choice. 

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions and Answers)

Is refractory mortar the same as fire cement?

No, they are both used for high-temperature applications but they are not the same. Refractory cement is used for filling in gaps on the other hand, fire cement is used for constructing the structural elements.

Can furnace cement be used in a fireplace?

Shortly, yes. But it will depend on the size and the wood is using in the fireplace. A fireplace can generate heat from 700°F to 15000°F. Basically, for small to medium fireplaces, furnace cement can be used.

Can furnace cement be used in a wood-fired pizza oven?

Yes, furnace cement can be used in a wood-fired pizza oven. The wood fire pizza oven can achieve up to 1500°F and the furnace cement is capable of 2500°F. So, yes, you can use it in a wood-fired pizza oven.

Conclusion

To conclude, if you are looking for short-term support for your high-temperature application at a lower cost then furnace cement will do the job for you. But for the longer run and better durability, refractor cement is the ideal one!