Phosphorus-containing silane modified steel slag waste to reduce fire hazards of rigid polyurethane foams

Steel slag (SS) waste was microencapsulated by a 9, 10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO)-derived silane via sol–gel reaction to improve its compatibility with polymer as well as to enhance flame retardant efficiency. The modified steel slag (mSS) was combined with expanded graphite (EG) as flame retardant system for rigid polyurethane foams (RPUFs). The RPUF-3 sample with 10 wt% mSS and 10 wt% EG showed an optimal comprehensive performance including a compressive strength of 206.9 kPa, a thermal conductivity of 0.0304 W/(m·K), a limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of 24.0% and UL-94 V-0 classification. The peak heat release rate (pHRR) and total heat release (THR) of the RPUF-3 dropped by 55% and 47%, respectively. By comparison, the RPUF-6 sample with 10 wt% SS and 10 wt% EG exhibited poorer flame-retardant behaviors. The superior flame retardancy of RPUF-3 over RPUF-6 could be ascribed to phosphorus-silicon complex in mSS promoted charring that provided better barrier effect during combustion.     

Phosphate removal from solution using steel slag through magnetic separation

Steel slag with magnetic separation was used to remove phosphate from aqueous solutions. The influence of adsorbent dose, pH, and temperature on phosphate removal was investigated in a series of batch experiments. Phosphate removal increased with the increasing temperature, adsorbent dose and decreased with increasing initial phosphate concentrations, while it was at its peak at pH of 5.5. The phosphate removal predominantly occurred through ion exchange. The specific surface area of the steel slag was 2.09m2/g. The adsorption of phosphate followed both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The maximum adsorption capacity of the steel slag was 5.3mgP/g. The removal rates of total phosphorus (TP) and dissolved phosphorus (DP) from secondary effluents were 62-79% and 71-82%, respectively. Due to their low cost and high capability, it was concluded that the steel slag may be an efficient adsorbent to remove phosphate both from solution and wastewater.     

Utilization of steel slag for Portland cement clinker production

The aim of the present research work is to investigate the possibility of adding steel slag, a by-product of the conversion of iron to steel process, in the raw meal for the production of Portland cement clinker. Two samples of raw meals were prepared, one with ordinary raw materials, as a reference sample ((PC)(Ref)), and another with 10.5% steel slag ((PC)(S/S)). Both raw meals were sintered at 1450 degrees C. The results of chemical and mineralogical analyses as well as the microscopic examination showed that the use of the steel slag did not affect the mineralogical characteristics of the so produced Portland cement clinker. Furthermore, both clinkers were tested by determining the grindability, setting times, compressive strengths and soundness. The hydration products were examined by XRD analysis at 2, 7, 28 and 90 days. The results of the physico-mechanical tests showed that the addition of the steel slag did not negatively affect the quality of the produced cement.     

Accelerated carbonation and performance of concrete made with steel slag as binding materials and aggregates

Steel slag has been used as supplementary cementitious materials or aggregates in concrete. However, the substitution levels of steel slag for Portland cement or natural aggregates were limited due to its low hydraulic property or latent volume instability. In this study, 60% of steel slag powders containing high free-CaO content, 20% of Portland cement and up to 20% of reactive magnesia and lime were mixed to prepare the binding blends. The binding blends were then used to cast concrete, in which up to 100% of natural aggregates (limestone and river sands) were replaced with steel slag aggregates. The concrete was exposed to carbonation curing with a concentration of 99.9% CO₂ and a pressure of 0.10 MPa for different durations (1d, 3d, and 14d). The carbonation front, carbonate products, compressive strength, microstructure, and volume stability of the concrete were investigated. Results show that the compressive strength of the steel slag concrete after CO₂ curing was significantly increased. The compressive strengths of concrete subjected to CO₂ curing for 14d were up to five-fold greater than that of the corresponding concrete under conventional moist curing for 28d. This is attributed to the formation of calcium carbonates, leading to a microstructure densification of the concrete. Replacement of limestone and sand aggregates with steel slag aggregates also increased the compressive strengths of the concrete subjected to CO₂ curing. In addition, the concrete pre-exposed to CO₂ curing produced less expansion than the concrete pre-exposed to moist curing during the subsequent accelerated curing in 60 °C water. This study provides a potential approach to prepare concrete with low-carbon emissions via the accelerated carbonation of steel slag.     

Interfacial transition zone of cement composites with steel furnace slag aggregates

As previous studies of mortar and concrete with steel furnace slag (SFS) aggregates have shown increases or decreases in the bulk mechanical properties, this study investigated the microstructural cause of these opposing trends through characterization of the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) with quantitative image analysis of backscatter electron micrographs. Three SFS types – basic oxygen furnace (BOF), electric arc furnace (EAF), EAF/ladle metallurgy furnace (EAF/LMF) – were examined as aggregates in a portland cement mortar. The ITZ size for all SFS mortar mixtures was similar, with the ITZ of BOF and EAF/LMF being slightly more porous than mortar mixtures with EAF or dolomite. Microstructural examinations of the SFS particle revealed that BOF and EAF/LMF aggregates have different outer and interior compositions, with the outer composition consisting of a porous layer, which likely contributes to the reduced strength relative to EAF. The imaging results demonstrated that the type of SFS and its spatial composition greatly influences the bulk properties of mortar and concrete, mainly as a function of porosity content in the ITZ and the outer layer and interior porosity of the SFS aggregate.     

Strength properties of steel slag stabilized mixes

A new type of low-strength concrete made with steel slag and gravel was investigated in this report. Increasing the amount of cement or steel slag in the mix increased the maximum dry density and optimum moisture content of the concrete. Additionally, the compressive and indirect tensile strength of the concrete increased with curing age. The strength of mixes with low cement contents increased with the slag content, while that of mixes with higher cement contents decreased with slag content. Finally, the average indirect tensile strength for all mixes as a percentage of compressive strength was ∼14%.     

高强隔热刚玉-镁铝尖晶石-莫来石多孔陶瓷材料的制备

以氧化铝、石英粉和电熔镁砂为主要原料,以纸浆废液为结合剂,通过原位反应烧结制备复相高强隔热陶瓷,研究MgO添加量对所制备多孔陶瓷的显气孔率、抗折强度、耐压强度和抗热震性能的影响。采用X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)和电子万能试验机对材料的物相组成、显微结构和力学性能进行表征,并对多孔陶瓷的显气孔率和抗热震性能进行测试。结果表明:5%(质量分数)电熔镁砂与氧化铝、石英粉在1450℃下原位反应烧结3h可制备得到刚玉-镁铝尖晶石-莫来石多孔复相陶瓷,耐压强度达270.25MPa,抗折强度超过45MPa,同时显气孔率达26.46%,常温导热系数为1.469W·m^-1·K^-1,隔热性能良好,且3次热震后的残余抗折强度保持率超过27%,是极具应用前景的工业窑炉内衬材料。其中MgO含量变化会直接影响该多孔陶瓷三相组成、相形态、气孔孔径及分布,使得多孔陶瓷抗折强度、耐压强度和抗热震性能呈现非单调变化的规律。     

Behavior of self compacting concrete containing ladle furnace slag and steel fiber reinforcement

Self compacting concrete mixtures with the use of ladle furnace slag as filler and steel fibers as reinforcement were produced and tested in the laboratory. Different contents of ladle furnace slag filler, ranging from 60 to 120 kg/m³, and steel fibers, ranging from 0% to 0.7%, were used. The different mixtures were tested in the fresh state for fluidity, passing ability and resistance to segregation and in the hardened state for compressive strength, fracture toughness, freeze-thawing resistance and chloride penetration resistance. The test results showed that ladle furnace slag can be used as filler for self compacting concrete, as adequate consistency and workability was achieved, while compressive strength and durability were improved. Ladle furnace slag can also be combined with steel fibers, which considerably increase fracture toughness, in order to produce a high performance self compacting concrete using a low-cost industrial by-product such as ladle furnace slag.     

Synthesis and characterization of hematite pigment obtained from a steel waste industry

Pigments that meet environmental and technology requirements are the focus of the research in the ceramic sector. This study focuses on the synthesis of ceramic pigment by encapsulation of hematite in crystalline and amorphous silica matrix. Iron oxide from a metal sheet rolling process was used as chromophore. A different content of hematite and silica was homogenized by conventional and high energy milling. The powders obtained after calcinations between 1050 and 1200 °C for 2 h were characterized by X-ray diffraction and SEM analysis. The pigments were applied to ceramic enamel and porcelain body. The effect of pigment was measured by comparing L*a*b* values of the heated samples. Results showed that the color developed is influenced by variables such as oxide content employed, conditions of milling and processing temperature. The results showed that the use of pigment developed does not interfere in microstructural characteristics of pigmented material. The best hue was obtained from samples with 15 wt% of chromophore, heated at 1200 °C in amorphous silica matrix.     

Characterization and activation of Basic Oxygen Furnace slag

BOF slags are by-products of steel conversion. They are a valuable mineral resource for the construction but have chemical properties that directly control their stability or any hydraulic activity. This paper provides a complete characterization and quantification of BOF slag phases in order to better understand their potential hydraulic activity. The acceleration of the hydration by chemical admixtures is also presented. The BOF slag variability is investigated on several samples with different origins and ages.BOF slag with different origins mainly contain 38-52% C₂S, 20-30% C₂F, 1-7% Ca(OH)₂, 11-13% Fe_1−xO, 2-8% CaO. Calcium silicate is present in β-C₂S form which is the active polymorph present in clinker. BOF slags have poor hydraulic activity at early ages which can be enhanced by calcium chloride addition.     

钢渣/木炭纳微复合物的制备与电磁特性

以钢渣、木炭为原料,采用高性能球磨工艺得到具有磁-电阻复合损耗的钢渣/木炭片状纳微复合物。并用EDS、XRD、SEM、网络矢量分析仪等表征手段研究了钢渣/木炭复合物的组成、物相、形貌以及电磁特性。结果表明,钢渣/木炭复合物的电磁特性对木炭的含量呈现强烈的依赖性。随木炭含量的增大,钢渣/木炭复合物的介电常数实部和虚部显著提高。当木炭含量为50%时,钢渣/木炭复合物因其高的介电损耗和优良的匹配特性而显示最佳的吸波性能,此时最大反射率值为-33.4dB,<-10和-20dB的有效带宽分别为15.2和8.6GHz。     

Optimum content of copper slag as a fine aggregate in high strength concrete

This study investigated the mechanical properties of high strength concrete incorporating copper slag as a fine aggregate and concluded that less than 40% copper slag as sand substitution can achieve a high strength concrete that comparable or better to the control mix, beyond which however its behaviors decreased significantly. The workability and strength characteristics were assessed through a series of tests on six different mixing proportions at 20% incremental copper slag by weight replacement of sand from 0% to 100%. The results indicated that the strength of the concrete with less than 40% copper slag replacement was higher than or equal to that of the control specimen and the workability even had a dramatic growth. The microscopic view demonstrated that there were limited differences between the control concrete and the concrete with less than 40% copper slag content. It also suggested that the determination of the copper slag replacement level should consider with the desired compressive strength of concrete.     

碳酸化钢渣和矿渣作硅酸盐水泥混合材水化性能研究

通过对钢渣碳酸化前后的硅酸盐相提取及水化放热性能和将碳酸化钢渣和矿渣作为混合材的硅酸盐水泥的胶砂强度和水化产物种类的测定,以及对它们微观形貌的观察,研究了碳酸化钢渣对胶凝体系水化性能的影响.结果表明,碳酸化使钢渣中硅酸盐相的含量由47.06％下降至14.38％;碳酸化促进了钢渣的早期水化,抑制其后期水化;在配比相同的条件下,碳酸化钢渣-矿渣-硅酸盐熟料体系试样的3、28d抗压强度较未碳酸化钢渣-矿渣-硅酸盐熟料体系试样的高;碳酸化生成的CaCO3促进了熟料的水化;碳酸化钢渣促进了胶凝体系中AFt的生成,且生成水合碳铝酸钙.     

Elastic properties of cement-stabilised mixes with steel slag

In this study, we evaluated the elastic and mechanical properties of a new type of cement-stabilised material made with steel slag, varying the content of cement and steel slag. To study the elastic properties of these mixes, we measured their density, compressive strength and ultrasound pulse velocity at curing ages of 7, 28 and 90 days. The aggregate type and curing age greatly affected the elastic properties and varied much depending on the cement content. The Poisson's ratio chosen in analyses had little influence on the dynamic modulus. Various expressions given by building codes were used to predict the elastic properties of the mixtures. These codes generated very different values of the static modulus of elasticity, making most of them unsuitable for predicting the elastic properties of cement-stabilised materials. Using our experimental data, we provide the best combination of existing equations to predict elastic properties, and we conclude that measuring the ultrasound pulse velocity is a suitable way to predict the mechanic and elastic properties of cement-stabilised materials.     

Preparation and characterization of zeolite from waste Linz-Donawitz (LD) process slag of steel industry for removal of Fe3+ from drinking water

Cubical-shaped zeolite A was synthesized from the Linz-Donawitz (LD) process slag of the Steel Industry, utilizing conventional fusion-assisted hydrothermal treatment. Morphological and Physico-chemical characterizations were performed by various characterization techniques. A weight ratio of 1:1.2 (LD-slag: NaOH) was maintained during fusion, which provides a better binding effect with better mechanical stability to the zeolite framework. Fe³⁺ adsorption studies were performed at 273, 298, 303, and 308 K, respectively, within the range of 10–40 mg L⁻¹ Fe³⁺ ion concentration for kinetic and isotherm studies. A maximum adsorption capacity of 27.55 mg g⁻¹ was obtained at a 1.4 g L⁻¹ adsorbent dosage, with 99.99% Fe³⁺ ion removal. Moreover, the Fe³⁺ adsorption study obeyed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, whereas multistage diffusion controlled the adsorption process. Langmuir isotherm model best fitted the equilibrium data suggesting the highly negative charge over the adsorbent surface played a vital role in the electrostatic attraction of Fe³⁺ ions. Isomorphic replacement of silicon by aluminum ion imparted a highly negative charge over the zeolite surface in the primary structure unit. For real-life sample drinking water, the Fe³⁺ ion removal efficiency increases to 97.7%.     

Mechanical properties and microstructure of steel/iron slag blended mortar

This study aims to examine the mechanical properties and microstructures of steel/iron slag blended mortar (SISBM), which contains two by-products of the steel and iron industries: steel slag (basic oxygen furnace slag, BOFS) and iron slag (blast furnace slag, BFS). Test results indicate that steel slag will have effective hydration reactions with iron slag and contribute strength. The optimal mixing ratio of steel to iron slags was 3:7 (by weight), and the compressive strength was about 83.59% compared with that of ordinary Portland cement mortar (OPM). The strength development was similar to that of OPM and the strength increased as the curing period increased. The X-ray diffraction analysis results implied that the main products of hydration could be C–S–H, C–A–S–H, CaO–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂, Fe_0.974O, and C₄AF. The scanning electron microscope images indicated that the distribution of Ca(OH)₂ and CaCO₃ increased as the inclusion of steel slag increased, perhaps resulting from insufficient reactions between BFS and Ca(OH)₂ and f-CaO due to excessive BOFS. In addition, the results indicated that the density of OPM was superior to that of SISBM. This may be the reason for lower strength of SISBM compared to OPM.     

Mix design of concrete for prestressed concrete sleepers using blast furnace slag and steel fibers

The application of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) and steel fibers in prestressed concrete railway sleepers was investigated in this study. The use of GGBFS was considered as an eco-friendly material aimed at reducing CO₂ emissions and energy consumption as well as to enhance the durability performance of railway sleepers. Steel fibers improves the durability and structural performance in terms of crack control and reduction of spalling and can replace shear reinforcement. The mix proportions of the concrete incorporating GGBFS (56% GGBFS) and GGBFS with steel fibers (56% GGBFS and 0.75% steel fibers) were determined through a series laboratory tests and a life cycle assessment. These mixes satisfied the requirements of the Korean Railway Standard and resulted in improved flexural capacity as well as less CO₂ emissions compared with current railway sleepers. Using these mixes, a total of ninety prestressed concrete sleepers were produced in a factory under the same manufacturing process as current railway sleepers, and their mechanical properties as well as durability performance were evaluated. The mix with partial replacement of Type III Portland cement by GGBFS showed an improved resistance to chloride ion penetration and freeze-thaw cycles compared with the concrete used for current railway sleepers. However, these mixes were more vulnerable to carbonation. The mix with GGBFS and steel fibers (mix BSF) showed a slightly better durability performance than the mix with GGBFS only (mix BS), including better carbonation and freeze-thaw resistances. The mix BSF showed decreased chloride ion penetration depth than mix BS but showed a slightly higher chloride ion diffusion coefficient.     

Shrinkage and strength of alkaline activated ground steel slag/ultrafine palm oil fuel ash pastes and mortars

This study evaluated the contributions of steel slag and activators ratio to the shrinkage of the alkali-activated ground steel slag (G)/ultrafine palm oil fuel ash (U) or AAGU pastes and mortars. The base materials were combined such that G/U+G varied from 0 to 0.8 (pastes) and 0–0.6 (mortars) with the use of 10M-NaOH_aq and Na₂SiO_3aq (Ms = SiO₂/Na₂O of 3.3) as activators whose ratios (Na₂SiO_3aq/10M NaOH_aq) were varied as 1.0/1.0 and 2.5/1.0. The findings revealed that steel slag reduced the AAGU shrinkage through pore-refinement, elimination of microcracks, and improvement in the microstructural density and strength. The changing of Na₂SiO₃/10NaOH ratio in the synthesis of AAGU products from 2.5 to 1.0 slightly reduced the shrinkage through the modification of amorphousity and nature of the products (C-A-S-H/C-S-H). The maximum 90-day slag-free AAGU paste and mortar shrinkages were 60.80 × 10³ με and 11.82 × 10³ με but reduced to 25.88 × 10³ and 2.71 × 10³ με, respectively as G/(U+G) = 0.4 in AAGU_0.4.     

负载活性炭硅藻土多孔陶瓷的制备和过滤性能研究

采用注浆成型技术制备了负载活性炭的硅藻土多孔陶瓷,研究烧结温度对其孔径、孔隙率、强度和晶相的影响,并测定其细菌过滤性能。研究发现,经1000℃烧成的产品,硅藻土保持原有的微孔结构,孔隙率最高(67%),强度较好(5.81MPa),而且对大肠杆菌截留效果好,滤液中未检测出大肠杆菌,可满足国家饮用水标准的要求。     

硫酸铁铵滴定法测定高钛型高炉渣中的钛

针对高炉渣反应活性差、熔样困难等特点,采用将炉渣粒度球磨至120目以下,硼酸和碳酸钠(2+1)作熔剂,900℃下熔融20 min,在瓷坩埚中铺垫石墨的方式来代替铂坩埚熔融样品,然后用硫酸(φ=10%)加热浸取熔块,铝还原Fe3+消除干扰,最后用硫酸铁铵滴定法测定钛含量。该方法用于高炉渣中钛的测定,相对标准偏差RSD(n=5)为0.41%~0.75%,加料回收率为98.6%~101.5%,能满足测定要求。