Utilization of Electric Arc Furnace Dust in Cementitious Materials

Electric arc furnace dust (EAFD), a fine-grained by-product of steel production, poses environmental and health concerns owing to its high content of zinc, iron and trace heavy metals. Research over the past decade has established that EAFD can be valorised in cementitious systems through partial cement replacement, encapsulation and advanced stabilisation techniques. Incorporating up to 20 wt% EAFD often refines pore structure, reduces chloride ingress and enhances the interfacial transition zone, although higher dosages may delay hydration and prolong setting times. Microstructural analyses reveal that optimal EAFD proportions improve matrix density, while immobilisation strategies—such as hydrotalcite-assisted double barriers or radionuclide-loaded waste forms—effectively reduce leaching of heavy metals and radioisotopes to acceptable levels. The development of self-compacting mortars and recycled-aggregate formulations further aligns with circular economy principles, lowering carbon footprints and diverting steelmaking residues from landfills. Despite promising laboratory results, challenges remain in achieving uniform dispersion, controlling early-age kinetics and demonstrating long-term durability. Future efforts are focused on synergistic use of supplementary cementitious materials, novel admixtures and tailored curing regimes to unlock the full potential of EAFD as a sustainable component in low-carbon construction materials.

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Utilization of Electric Arc Furnace Dust in Cementitious Materials publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in utilization of electric arc furnace dust in cementitious materials across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Electric arc furnace dust (EAFD): A fine powder generated during steelmaking, rich in metal oxides and potentially toxic elements.

Cementitious materials: Hydraulic binders—including Portland cement and blends with supplementary constituents—that harden through hydration.

Immobilisation/solidification: Techniques that encapsulate hazardous wastes within stable matrices to minimise pollutant release.

Self-compacting mortars (SCMs): Highly flowable mortar formulations that settle under their own weight without mechanical vibration.

Interfacial transition zone (ITZ): The region surrounding aggregate particles within cement paste, critical to mechanical performance.

Leaching: The process by which soluble substances migrate from a solid matrix into an aqueous phase.

Recycled concrete aggregate (RCA): Crushed concrete waste repurposed as a substitute for natural aggregate.

References

1. Ordinary-Portland-cement solidification of Cs-137 contaminated electric arc furnace dust from steel production industry in Thailand. Heliyon (2024).
2. A Double Barrier Technique with Hydrotalcites for Pb Immobilisation from Electric Arc Furnace Dust. Materials (2019).
3. Ternary Blends for Self-Compacting Mortars Production Composed by Electric Arc Furnace Dust and Other Industrial by-Products. Materials (2022).
4. Preliminary Study of Recycled Aggregate Mortar for Electric Arc Furnace Dust Encapsulation. Applied Sciences (2021).