Roman cement

Description

1) A name given to a type of hydraulic cement patented by James Parker in 1796. Roman cement, or Parker cement, is a powder mixture of fired Chalk and Clay. It contains about 60-65 % Lime, 20-25% Silica, 6-10% Alumina, and 3-5% iron oxides.

2). Ancient Roman cement is composed of a burnt mixture of Calcium carbonate (seashells, chalk, and Limestone) and volcanic ash (Pozzolana). It was used to construct ancient aqueducts, amphitheaters and vaulted structures, such as the Pantheon.

Synonyms and Related Terms

hydraulic cement; water cement; Parker cement

Resources and Citations

• G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 173

• Dictionary of Building Preservation, Ward Bucher, ed., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York City, 1996

• The Dictionary of Art, Grove's Dictionaries Inc., New York, 1996 Comment: "Concrete"

• Ivan Amato, Stuff: The Materials the World is Made of, Avon Books, New York, 1997

• Susan E. Schur, Conservation Terminology: A review of Past & Current Nomenclature of Materials, Technology and Conservation, Spring (p.34-39); Summer (p.35-38); Fall (p.25-36), 1985