Ferrochrome Powder as a Partial Replacement of Cement

Abstract

This paper presents the use of Ferrochrome powder (FP) as a supplementary cementitious material replacing a part of ordinary Portland cement (OPC). Ferrochrome powder is a flue dust generated in the ferrochrome industry. OPC was replaced by FD 0–40% at an interval of 10%. The mechanical properties like compressive strength, split tensile strength and flexural strength were examined at 7, 28, 56 and 91 days. The results revealed that there was a decline of property values on the supplementation of FP. The strength parameters like compressive, split tensile and flexural strength almost reduced by 25% on replacement of 40% when examined at the age of 28 days. The normal concrete mix offered the strength of nearly 39 MPa at 28 days, whereas the mix with 40% FP content offered nearly 29 MPa. From the trend of results, it is observed though there is a reduction in strength due to supplementation of FP, still may be considered beneficial from a waste utilization economy point of view. Saving 40% cement due to supplementation of FP, thereby losing 25% strength and achieving strength of 29 MPa can also be considered important from the circular economy point of view. A mix of concrete achieving 29 MPa at 28 days can be used for some normal strength structural components.KeywordsCompressive strengthConcreteSplit tensile strengthFlexural strengthFerrochrome powder