Influence of particle size on the reactivity of chemical modified steel slag powder

Understanding how the particle size of steel slag powder (SS) affects modified efficiency via chemical modified approach is critical to improve the modification process and the utilization of SS as sustainable cement-based materials. By using quantitative analysis based on backscattered electron images, the quantitative mineral compositions of SS with varying particle size (0-38, 38-75, 75-150, 150 mu m) at micro-scale are obtained. Results show that the active mineral content decreases from 68% to 61% with steel slag particle size increases from 0-38 to 150 mu m. Such composition divergence is one of the factors resulting in a significant difference on the 72 h cumulative hydration heat and 3 d compressive strength performances of the steel slag pastes. Combine the cumulative hydration heat values with the compressive strength results, the steel slag with particle size smaller than 75 mu m is advised as the optimum section for chemical modification.

Automated summary

Research shows that the particle size of steel slag powder plays a crucial role in its modification efficiency, with smaller particles being more suitable for chemical modification.