Electric arc furnace slag in substitution of quartz for surface treatment of concrete paving slabs

Abstract

Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) slag, a by-product of the steelmaking industry, also serves as a high-quality aggregate material for structural concrete production. In this research, its use is proposed as a Dry-Shake Hardener (DSH), in substitution of quartz, in concrete paving top coatings. Three concrete paving slab kinds were produced using EAF: one without fibers, another with metallic fibers; and the third with synthetic fibers. Half of each slab was coated with a classical cement-quartz mix and the other half with a novel cement-slag mix. After four years of outdoor aging at the city of Burgos, Spain, the slabs were visually inspected and no significant differences were found between the two coated materials. Impact, skid, and abrasion resistance tests were carried out and showed similar results for both types of coating courses. The result of both the short and long-term water absorption test results indicated, firstly, no short-term water absorption in both cases and, secondly, lower long-term water absorption in the quartz-cement mix. Finally, observation of the oil stain resistance tests on the top coatings led to the conclusion that the cleaning ability is very good. Analyzing all the results, it may be concluded that a new application for EAF slag have been found, it is a suitable material for use as a DSH for coating concrete paving slabs.