Formation, Properties, and Microstructure of a New Steel Slag–Based Phosphate Cement
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 33, Issue 11
Abstract
The process of obtaining chemically bonded phosphate ceramics generally involves the use of metallic oxides, the preparation of which consumes high quantities of energy. The present study proposes a method to recycle slags generated by a steel production process that is widely used across the world—the electric arc furnace. A chemically bonded phosphate ceramic is produced by exploiting the high content of metals present in the slag, realizing the conditions to mitigate the environmental impact of the industrial by-product. In situ infrared spectroscopy, isothermal conduction calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction revealed that the setting reaction involves the formation of amorphous products in the form of metallic phosphate hydrates and a fraction of calcium silicate hydrates similar to those found in portland cement. This phosphate matrix allows the effective immobilization of heavy metals in the slag, such as Cr and As. According to the results of mechanical tests, which showed compression resistance of , and leaching tests, slag-based phosphate cement can be used without restrictions as a construction material for applications such as mortars or bricks.
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Data Availability Statement
All data, models, and code generated or used during the study appear in the published article.
Acknowledgments
This study was supported by the Czech Science Foundation GA ČR (Grant No. 20-01280S); the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (RVO 68378297); and Government of Boyacá, Colombia, (Colciencias Invitation 733).
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Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 33 • Issue 11 • November 2021
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© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Oct 23, 2020
Accepted: Mar 30, 2021
Published online: Sep 14, 2021
Published in print: Nov 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Feb 14, 2022
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