EVALUATION OF THE USE OF BOF SLAGS FOR PREPARING SURFACE BY BLASTING

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Approximately 400 million tons of steel slags are generated annually worldwide. For each ton of steel, between 130 and 100 kg of slags are produced depending on the process and the composition. Although efforts have been made to recycle this slag, a significant part still ends up in the landfill, Therefore, it is necessary to look for new alternatives of use. One of the possibilities is its use in the surface preparation of building materials surfaces. Blasting has many applications in different industries, but the associated environmental problems imply a low number of research works developed in this field. Although BF (Blast furnace) slag is regulated by the standard UNE-EN ISO 8504-2:2002, BOF (Basic Oxygen Furnace) slag is not. The aim of this paper is to analyze the possible application of these wastes as a substitute for traditional abrasives. The results show that it is possible to use BOF slag both for surface cleaning. However, a more in-depth investigation is needed. Key Words: circular economy; slags; civil engineering; abrasive blasting.