Ultra Low Cement Castables (ULCC)

A ULCC contains only about 0.5–2% calcium aluminate cement, with the rest of the matrix bonded by reactive alumina, microsilica and chemical dispersants. The result is a very dense, low-porosity (8–14%) castable with hot strength approaching that of bricks, excellent slag resistance and very low permeability. ULCC is used in the most-aggressive wear zones of steel and aluminium plants.

Specify ULCC where lining life is the dominant cost driver, steel ladle slag bands, EAF tap holes, reheating furnace skid rails, copper anode furnace launders, and aluminium melter ramps. ULCC typically gives 1.4–2× the life of LCC in these zones, justifying the 30–80% price premium.

Stricter. ULCC has even lower permeability than LCC, so trapped moisture is harder to vent. Dry-out is typically 48–96 hours: ambient to 110°C at 8°C/hr, hold 18 hours, then 20°C/hr to 350°C, hold 12 hours, then 35°C/hr to working temperature. Many ULCC mixes include organic fibres that burn out at 200–300°C to create venting channels.

Up to 1700–1800°C depending on aggregate: our ULCC-70 is rated to 1700°C and ULCC-90 to 1800°C. Tabular alumina or alumina-spinel grades reach the top of that range. For higher service temperatures (1850°C+), no-cement (chemically bonded) castables or shaped refractories should be used.

Yes, premium ladle linings increasingly use 90% Al₂O₃ ULCC with 6–10% spinel addition. Typical campaign life is 110–180 heats versus 80–140 for standard LCC. The cost premium is offset by reduced relining frequency and lower lost-production hours. Slag bands and impact zones may still be supplemented with MgO-C bricks.

CUMI Super Refractories ULCC range, we are the authorised dealer. Also the Calderys ULTRAMON series and TRL Krosaki Tata Ultragreen range for steel applications. Each manufacturer has 4–6 grades; we help you select the right grade based on your installation method, vessel size, slag chemistry and target campaign life.

Ultramon 80 (Ace Calderys) is a competitor trade name for the same ultra low cement castable specification as CUMI's ULC Cast 80, which we supply as our ULCC-80 grade (78–82% Al₂O₃, under 1.5% cement). See the full CUMI vs. competitor cross-reference table above for the complete Ultramon / ULC Cast range.

Yes. Tata Ultragreen (TRL Krosaki) is TRL's trade name for its ultra low cement castable range, equivalent to CUMI's ULC Cast series that we supply as ULCC-70 to ULCC-90. Tata Ultragreen 80 corresponds to our ULCC-80 grade specifically.