Evaluation of PAO “Mechel” steelmaking slags suitability for the concrete production

There are given the results of a study on the feasibility of substituting in concretes a binder (Portland cement) with fine ground steelmaking slags (converter slag and slag of the complex steel processing facility) of PAO “Mechel” production. In the course of study, the chemical and mineralogical (quantitative and qualitative) compositions of the presented steelmaking slags were analyzed, both in the initial state and after mixing with water and subsequent hydration. The study checked the steelmaking slags ground till the state of standard Portland cement on the strength characteristics as well as the volume changes stability in the course of hardening by the GOST methods for Portland cement. The paper presents the X-ray pictures and the scanning electron microscope images of fine ground steelmaking slags. The relevant conclusions on the potential application of these slags in the production of concretes on their basis are drawn at the end of the article.