Use of iron ore tailings as partial replacement for cement on cementitious composites production with vegetable fibers

Abstract

The mining industry has been expanding and consequently increasing the associated environmental impacts, especially regarding this process's high volume of iron ore tailings (IOT) disposal. The best way to solve the problems caused by IOT is to develop large-scale utilization technologies that may consume large quantities of it. This study aims to evaluate the influence of incorporating IOTs on the mechanical, physical, microstructural, and morphological properties of extruded fiber-cement reinforced with eucalyptus cellulose pulp. For its use, IOT was characterized by the inhibition index, pozzolanic test, and granulometric, chemical, morphological, and X-ray diffraction analyses. The fiber-cement flat slabs were prepared by replacing cement using 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% of IOT and the control treatment, generating specimens measuring 20x30x200mm (height x width x length). The composites were characterized for physical, mechanical, and microstructural properties before and after exposure to weathering by accelerated aging test. This study showed an improvement in fiber durability with the increase in IOT content as a function of the waste’s pozzolanic activity and an improvement in physical properties using 10% cement replaced by IOT. All treatments tested at 28 days presented values within trading standards limits. However, the treatments with 10% and 20% of IOT met the most demanding criteria. Thus, using iron ore waste as a substitute for raw materials in cementitious composites may reduce the difficulties of IOT disposal and save natural resources, leading to more sustainable constructions.