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I am trying to build a foundry. The Youtube video refers to 4:1 Perlite:Fire Cement. But the shop also offers Fire Concrete. I don't know what's the difference.

Could someone please explain the difference?

Link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTPdybtO-a0

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  • I've not used either in any of my brews. Is this a brewing question?
    – mdma
    Commented Sep 19, 2012 at 11:29
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    It's a "casting metal" or "foundry building" question. I couldn't use the tags "foundry" "casting" because the site didn't let me. ... Oooh, wait .. "homebrewing" as in "beer brewing" and not in "homebrewing equipment" ... This is .. embarrassing :(
    – Jan Krüger
    Commented Sep 19, 2012 at 11:55
  • Can you insert a link to the video? If you don't have the rep, paste the url as a comment, and one of us will do it for you.
    – Chris Cudmore
    Commented Sep 19, 2012 at 13:11

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TLDR; - Concrete is poured into a form, for structural members. Cement is spread as a glue.

Cement is a glue. Concrete is a mix of aggregates, held together with cement.

If you're building something structural (to support a load -- such as itself), you'd buy the concrete. If you're using it as a skim/finish coat, or to attach firebrick, buy the cement, and (possibly) mix it with some very fine aggregates - depending on the use.

See this answer for more detail on cement/concrete in general. What actually happens if I vary proportions of cement and sand in mortar?

EDIT: After seeing the video, I now understand. What you are making is a light, weak concrete using the cement and perlite as an aggregate. You need to buy the fire cement, not the concrete. (You could use concrete and omit the perlite, but I think it would be pretty heavy.)

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  • Thank you! What will be more temperature resistant as I don't want to melt aluminium but brass and bronze which has a higher melting point than aluminium.
    – Jan Krüger
    Commented Sep 19, 2012 at 18:06
  • I think the perlite mix will be better insulated. It might keep the outside a bit cooler.
    – Chris Cudmore
    Commented Sep 19, 2012 at 18:07

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