Industry Overview
High Alumina Cement (HAC), also known as Calcium Aluminate Cement (CAC) or aluminous cement, is a specialised non-OPC cement composed primarily of calcium aluminates. Unlike Portland cement, which is based on calcium silicates, HAC is manufactured using alumina-rich materials such as bauxite and calcareous materials including limestone or chalk.
The cement is produced by burning and grinding a carefully prepared mixture of alumina and calcareous materials to obtain a highly reactive cement with high early strength characteristics. As defined by ASTM C 219, calcium aluminate cement is the product obtained by pulverizing calcium aluminate cement clinker, where the clinker is a partially fused or completely fused product consisting of hydraulic calcium aluminates.
High Alumina Cement offers unique performance advantages, including rapid strength development and the ability to hydrate and gain strength even at temperatures below 0°C. Due to these properties, HAC finds applications in specialised construction activities, including cold weather concreting and projects requiring high early strength and durability.