Utilization of Steel Slag in Construction Materials
Summary
Steel slag, a by-product of primary and secondary steelmaking processes, offers a vast reserve of calcium, iron and silicate phases that can be repurposed into numerous construction applications. Its utilisation spans unbound road bases, aggregate replacement in concrete, supplementary cementitious material and alkali-activated binders. The heterogeneous mineralogy and potential volumetric instability of different slag types have driven research into stabilisation techniques, screening protocols and tailored thermal or chemical treatments. When processed correctly, steel slag can improve mechanical strength, durability and thermal performance of composites while diverting millions of tonnes of industrial waste from landfill. Attention has also focused on mitigating heavy-metal leaching and controlling free lime and periclase contents to ensure long-term performance in civil infrastructure. Globally, integration of steel slag into building materials supports circular-economy goals by conserving virgin aggregates and reducing carbon emissions associated with cement production.
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Utilization of Steel Slag in Construction Materials publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in utilization of steel slag in construction materials across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) slag: Residual material from the melting of scrap steel using electric arcs, rich in CaO, SiO₂ and Fe oxides, used as aggregate or binder precursor.
Ladle furnace slag: Secondary refining by-product containing high CaO and silicate phases, notable for mesoporous texture and reactivity under alkaline conditions.
Geopolymer: Inorganic polymer network formed by alkali activation of aluminosilicate materials, offering high early strength and thermal resistance.
Alkali activation: Process in which an alkaline solution (e.g. sodium or potassium silicates) dissolves aluminosilicate precursors to form cementitious gels such as C-A-S-H.
References
- Slag valorization from electric arc furnaces in concrete paver formulation. Green Technologies and Sustainability (2023).
- Effects of ladle slag on Class F fly ash geopolymer: Reaction mechanism and high temperature behavior. Cement and Concrete Composites (2022).
- A Review of the Influence of Steel Furnace Slag Type on the Properties of Cementitious Composites. Applied Sciences (2020).
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