The adherence ability of cement clinker on magnesia-spinel refractories is investigated, using a sandwich test, at 15501C for 30 min under a load of 5.3 kPa. Fractional factorial experiments determine that the silica ratio (SR)-SiO 2 /(Al 2 O 3 1-Fe 2 O 3 ) and particle size of raw meal, as well as heating rate, have a significant effect on adherence ability. Microstructural analyses indicate that the adherence ability depends upon reactions between clinker and refractories at high temperature. Only spinel reacts with CaO and 3CaO Á SiO 2 from clinker to form n-calcium aluminate (such as 3CaO Á Al 2 O 3 , 12CaO Á 7Al 2 O 3 , CaO Á Al 2 O 3 ), but there is no reaction between MgO and the clinker. Fine crystalline spinel, evenly distributed in magnesiabased brick, is prone to reacting with lime-containing phases from clinker to form low melting phases and a belite-enriched zone at the clinker/brick interface. This reaction positively contributes to the high adherence on a magnesiaÀspinel brick. The high content of liquid in clinker with low SR accelerates reactions between spinel and clinker, while a limited reaction occurs at the brick/clinker interface with high silica.