Lightly calcined magnesium oxide mixed with a solution of magnesium chloride forms a cement known as magnesium oxychloride cement, or Sorel cement. It is particularly useful in making flooring compositions in which it is mixed with colored aggregates. Floors made of oxychloride cement are sparkproof and are more resilient than floors of concrete.
Oxychloride cement has very strong bonding power and, because of its higher bonding power, may be used with greater quantities of aggregate than are possible with portland cement. Oxychloride cement also bonds well with wood and is used in making partition block or tile with wood shavings or sawdust as aggregate. It is moderately resistant to water but should not be used under continually wet conditions.
