Alkali activated slag based on steelmaking slag: application and properties

Abstract

Alkali activated slag (AAS) is an environmentally friendly material which were extensively investigated in a pass two decade. Currently, these materials are considering as an effective alternative for cement binder. Process of slag alkali activation involves a chemical reaction between solid calcium aluminosilicate materials and a highly alkaline activator. The alkali activation mechanism of slag consists of the slag dissolution in a highly alkaline which is followed by the condensation and hardening processes yielding formation of calcium (alumina) silicate hydrate C– (A)–S–H gel as a reaction product of slag alkali activation. Properties of these materials primarily depends on the choice of solid row materials. Primarily, granulated blast furnace slag, by product of iron production) is considering as a precursor for AAS synthesis. However, an important shift towards the use of steelmaking slag is also observed. Although electric arc furnace slag has already found its application mainly in civil engineering, this investigation has aimed to investigate properties of AAS prepared using the electric arc furnace slag (EAFS) with an emphasize with different possibilities of its application. Characterization of AAS involved XRDP, SEM/EDS and pore size analysis with the aim to build up a detailed illustration of AAS from the stand point of different application.