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Description
Steel furnace slag (SFS) is a by-product/waste of the steel manufacturing process, primarily composed of non-metallic oxides and silicates formed during the molten steel refining. Electric arc furnace (EAF) steel slag represents one of the several types of steel furnace slags, namely a non-metallic material, mainly consisting of oxides and silicates and also other components that can be harmful to the environment when carelessly disposed. The annual global production of steel is in constant growth, thus leading to generation of large volumes of steel slags, which are either inefficiently stored in steel plants or disposed of into the environment. This context encourages exploring eco-friendly alternatives (such as EAF slags) to natural aggregates in cement-based materials like mortars and concrete. The current study investigates the use of electric arc furnace (EAF) slag produced and stored in Reșița, Caraș-Severin County, in western Romania, as a partial replacement for natural aggregates in regular, cement-based mortars, as pressors for concrete design approach. The initial, basic compatibility of the targeted EAF addition to the cementitious matrix was proved by preliminary research, further followed by long term physical and mechanical evaluations and durability performances of the mixes, as objectives of the present paper.
