Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
1063618 | Resources, Conservation and Recycling | 2009 | 7 Pages |
Ladle furnace basic slag (LFS) is a by-product of the steelmaking process. It has rarely been recovered in the past and is usually disposed of in landfill sites. Despite containing stable chemical substances of great quality, some of which are potentially hydraulic, its practical applications have been limited. This paper discusses the attractive option of using LFS in the manufacture of masonry mortars for use in the construction industry, which requires an analysis of the principal characteristics of such mortars, i.e. workability and mechanical strength. It reports on a comparative study, using standard commercial admixtures, between conventional masonry mortars and mortars manufactured with LFS as a partial replacement for sand and cement, the results of which imply considerable economic savings in sand and cement, improvements in the properties of the mortars and in overall sustainability, by avoiding disposal and conserving natural resources.