OXFORD CEMENT.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2114, 2 December 1880, Page 3

OXFORD CEMENT.

The following ia Messrs Lambert and i Walkden’s report upon the above:— “We beg to report on the cement made from the chalk and clay found on the land of Messrs Ingram and White, of Oxford, lately submitted to us for trial, as follows : “ The clay and chalk were mixed and burnt at Oxford, and the clinkers were forwarded to Mr Lambert’s office, and there ground into powder with a pestle and mortar, and submitted to the usual tests, and at the same time Knight and Oo.’s cement was similarly tested, in order to ascertain the difference, if any. “ Two dozen metal boxes were made, capable of containing IJin. cubes, and; one dozen were filled with Knight’s cement and one dozen with Oxford cement, and they were allowed to remain eight days to set, that is to say six of each were under water, and six of each were exposed to the atmosphere. “ The first test was by weight of the dry powder cement, compressed in measures, and then with the cement after it had been mixed with water eight days, and we found that the Oxford cement compared favorably with the English, that is to say that in both cases the former was rather the heavier. “The next test was with reference to its capability of resisting pressure, and we found that the Portland cement carried a greater weight without crushing than the Oxford cement; but the Oxford cubes when taken out of the boxes were not so perfect in form as the Portland, so the exact difference could not be obtained. Judging from the appearance, we came to the conclusion that the Oxford is not so quick setting as the Portland (which is no detriment but otherwise). The exact proportions of the ingredients have not yet been discovered, but the last is the best of the different samples submitted to us, and these have been successive improvements. “But we cannot look upon this as a fair trial, owing to the small quantity made, the want of proper furnaces and appliances for the manufacture of the local, whereas the English cement is manufactured in large quantities, carefully mixed in exact tested proportions, and with every facility in the shape of kilns and proper machinery for grinding, so we are of opinion from the above tests that the materials obtained from Oxford are capable of being so manipulated that a good cement could be manufactured from them, which would have the advantage of the imported article in being always fresh, which is a great desideratum in cement. “ T. S. Lambeet, Architect. “ 0. Walkdhn, City Surveyor. “ November 26th, 1880.”