Expansion behavior of low-strength steel slag mortar during high-temperature catalysis

This study established the standard recommended values and expansion fracture threshold values for the content of steel slag in controlled low-strength materials (CLSM) to ensure the appropriate use of steel slag aggregates and the prevention of abnormal expansion. The steel slags used in this study included basic oxygen furnace (BOF) slag and desulfurization slag (DS), which replaced 5-50% of natural river sand by weight in cement mixtures. The steel slag mortars were tested by high-temperature (100 celcius) curing for 96 h and autoclave expansion. The results showed that the effects of the steel slag content varied based on the free lime (f-CaO) content. No more than 30% of the natural river sand should be replaced with steel slag to avoid fracture failure. The expansion fracture threshold value was 0.10%, above which there was a risk of potential failure. Based on the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, the high-temperature catalysis resulted in the immediate extrusion of peripheral hydration products from the calcium hydroxide crystals, leading to a local stress concentration and, eventually, deformation and cracking.