What is slag cement used for?

Slag cement works synergistically with Portland cement to increase strength, reduce
permeability, improve resistance to chemical attack and inhibit rebar corrosion. Slag cement is
used in virtually all concrete applications:
Concrete pavements
Structures and foundations
Mass concrete applications, such as dams or retaining walls Precast and prestressed
concrete
Pipe and Block
Concrete exposed to harsh environments, such as wastewater treatment and marine
applications
High-performance/high-strength concrete, such as high-rise structures or 100-year service
life bridges.

Hardening properties of slag cement

Slag cement improves many of the strength and durability properties of hardened concrete. Slag
cement is a hydraulic binder that, like Portland cement, reacts with water to form cementitious
material (calcium-silicate hydrate or CSH). It also, similar to a pozzolan, consumes by-product
calcium hydroxide from the hydration of Portland cement to form additional CSH. The resulting
cement paste is stronger and denser, thus improving the concrete.

Improved compressive and flexural strength

Reduced permeability, and resistance to chloride intrusion and corrosion

Ability to mitigate moderate to severe sulfate attack

Ability to mitigate alkali-silica reaction with reactive aggregates

Reduced thermal stress in mass concrete through lower heat generation

Environmental benefits of using slag cement

Production of slag cement creates a value-added product from a materialblast furnace slag
that otherwise might be destined for disposal. Not only does the making of slag cement lessen
the burden on landfills, but it also reduces air emissions at steel plants through the granulation
process (as compared to the traditional air cooling process). Use of slag cement in concrete
reduces the environmental impact of concrete by:

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by eliminating approximately one ton of carbon

dioxide for each ton of portland cement replaced.

Reducing energy consumption, since a ton of slag cement requires nearly 90% less
energy to produce than a ton of portland cement.

Reducing the amount of virgin material extracted to make concrete.

Reducing the urban heat island effect by making concrete lighter in color thus
reflecting more light and cooling structures and pavements with exposed concrete.

Standard:
- ASTM C595, Specification for Blended Hydraulic Cements
- ASTM C1157, Standard Performance Specification for Blended Hydraulic Cement.

PROPORTIONING CONCRETE WITH SLAG CEMENT

Production
Granulated
Furnace

of Ground
Blast
Slag

Ground-

granulated

blast-furnace

slag

(GGBFS) is

produced by

quenching

molten

iron

slag (a by-

product

of

iron

steel-

and

making)

from a blast

furnace in

water,

produce

to

granular

product that

is then dried

and

into a fine

ground

powder.