LAUSR

Abstract The distribution of in situ CA6 depends on the amount of the residual calcium aluminate cement (CAC) anhydrous phase and the distribution of CAC hydrates in CAC-bonded alumina-based castables and can influence the properties (especially the volume stability) of the castables. Because the CAC hydration process is strongly related to the curing temperature, CAC-bonded alumina-based castables were cured at 5 °C, 10 °C, 25 °C, 40 °C, and 50 °C to investigate the influence of curing temperature on the volume stability of CAC-bonded alumina-based castables. The castables after curing, drying, and firing were examined by SEM to determine the distribution of the residual CAC anhydrous phase and CA6 grains. Phase compositions of the castable matrixes after drying at 110 °C and firing at 1450–1600 °C were analyzed by X-ray diffraction to identify the hydration degree and generation of CA6. The contribution of curing temperature to the volumetric stability of the castables is discussed in terms of hydration products after curing and CA6 distribution in the castables after firing at 1600 °C.