Solidification of stainless steel slag by accelerated carbonation

On exposure to carbon dioxide (CO2) at a pressure of 3 bars, compacts formed from pressed ground slag, and 12.5 weight percent water, were found to react with approximately 18% of their own weight of CO2. The reaction product formed was calcium carbonate causing the slag to self-cement. Unconfined compressive strengths of 9MPa were recorded in carbonated compacts whereas strengths of < 1 MPa were recorded in non-carbonated slag compacts. As molten stainless steel slag containing dicalcium silicate (C2S) cools it can undergo several phase transitions. The final transformation from the beta-polymorph to gamma-C2S is accompanied by a volume change that causes the slag to self-pulverise or 'dust'. As a consequence of this the fine grained portion of the slag contains more of this phase whilst the coarser particles of the slag contain more of the calcium magnesium silicates that contribute the bulk of the waste. The fine fraction (< 125 microm) of the slag when ground is found to react to the same extent as the ground bulk slag and produces compacts with equivalent strength. A coarser fraction (4-8 mm) when ground to a similar grading does not react as extensively and produces a weaker product. Additions of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) at 5 and 10 percent by weight did not alter the degree of reaction during carbonation of the bulk slag or ground fine fraction, however the strength of the 4-8 mm fraction was increased by this change.