Recycling of silicomanganese slag as pozzolanic material in Portland cements: Basic and engineering properties

Correct use of SiMn slags requires a detailed knowledge of their properties, as chemical and mineralogical composition, pozzolanic activity, reaction kinetics, setting time, volume expansion and strength play important role in the final valorisation of SiMn slag as pozzolanic material. This kind of slag is formed mainly of SiO2 and CaO, followed by Al2O3 and MnO which sum is nearly 90%. Sulphites content of 0.42% was detected. The main crystalline compound identified in SiMn slag is akermanite.The results obtained show that SiMn slag blended cements do not show volume instability, the strength values are very close to the control mortar and they have a denser matrix. SiMn blended matrices fulfil standard specification requirements (chemical, physical and mechanical ones) and show that SiMn slag is suitable for blended cements manufacture.