What Is Blast Furnace Slag Cement? Is It Good To Use?

When ordinary Portland cement is combined with finely ground blast furnace slag, we get Blast Furnace Slag Cement. Did you know that blast furnace slag is a by-product? Yes, when steel is manufactured, the blast furnace slag is acquired as a by-product with 70% cement. The combined product has the properties of cement.

Let’s’ find out more about the same!

What Is Blast Furnace Slag Cement?

Manufacturing And Ingredients:

Blast Furnace Slag Cement is acquired as a by-product when the iron is extracted from its ores. The process by which iron is extracted is executed with the help of a blast furnace. Meanwhile, the acquired slag from the ore is then segregated before letting them cool down gradually. This leads to the creation of unreactive crystalline elements.

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Thus, the constituents of Blast Furnace Slag Cement are as follows,

1. Calcium Oxide (38 to 50%)
2. Silicon Dioxide (27 to 39%)
3. Aluminum Oxide (8 to 20%), and 
4. Magnesium Oxide (Less than 10%)

Moreover, the slag cement is then grounded well like standard cement and then mixed in quantities as required. Additionally, different kinds of constructions require different amounts of slag cement. For a better idea on this, go through the list mentioned below, highlighting the proportions of Blast Furnace Slag Cement usually required for different types of constructions. 

1. Ordinary construction – 20 to 40%
2. Construction for a reduction in the hydration of heat – 50 to 80%
3. Structures under chloride attack – 50 to 81%
4. Structures under sulfate attack – 50 to 82%
5. Marine construction – 60 to 80% 

Blast-Furnace Slag Cement: Properties 

There are several properties of Blast furnace Slag Cement that distinguish this cement type from other generic types of cement. The properties of blast furnace slag cement are as follows, 

• The density of slag cement is 3.04 g/cm³.
• Slag cement has a surface area of 4050 cm²
• While the setting time is 60 minutes initially, the final setting time of this cement is 600 minutes. 
• The compression strength of Blast furnace slag cement is 23.5 N/mm2 for three days, 36.1 N/mm2 for seven days, and 62.4 N/mm2 for 28 days. 
• Lastly, the chemical composition of slag cement comprises 2.88% magnesium oxide, 2.19% sulfur trioxide, and 1.47% of ignition loss.

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Uses Of Blast Furnace Slag Cement:

The uses of Blast Furnace Slag Cement are several. The most important uses of this cement are as follows,

• Slag cement is extensively utilized in ready-to-mix compositions for concrete plants.

• Slag cement is also used extensively in the construction of structures previously under chloride or sulfate attacks. For example, structures like marine structures, bored piles, or sub-structures all require slag cement. 

• Blast Furnace Slag Cement has properties for retaining water. So naturally, as a result, it can be used quite effectively for water-retaining structures like ports, rivers, tunnels, and any structure that needs improvement in the impermeability.

• Blast Furnace Slag Cement is also for the construction of mass concrete structures that need a low rate of hydration, such as embankments and similar foundational structures.

Is Blast Furnace Slag Cement Good To Use?

Now that you know the uses of Portland Blast Furnace Slag Cement, you must be wondering whether you should use this cement or not. However, before making that decision, you need to know the benefits of the cement. And that’s not all. Knowing just the advantages is not enough. There are some cons too that you must find out as well. 

So let’s not waste any more time and move on to the advantages and disadvantages of using Blast Furnace Slag Cement. 

Advantages Of Using Blast Furnace Slag Cement:

The benefits of using slag cement are as follows,

1. The strength obtained by slag cement initially is low compared to ordinary cement. However, the final strength obtained by the same is either equal to or higher than ordinary cement. 

2. Since slag cement is crushed into finely granulated pieces, it can fill up pores more efficiently compared to ordinary cement. As a result, slag cement has a low bleeding level and a high level of workability. 

3. Slag cement can resist attacks from both chlorides and sulfates and, at the same time, is an ideal option in case of any risk associated with alkali-silica reactions.

4. Slag cement undergoes a hydration process that is pretty slow, which is responsible for its setting time to be high initially along with a high slump retention level. 

5. Slag cement comes in such a finely grounded form that it reduces the level of permeability while increasing its durability. 

6. Since slag cement experiences low levels of heat hydration because it’s an exothermic process, it is extensively used for structures where thermal cracking can be predicted. 

7. Since the Blast Furnace Slag Cement is white in color, the color of the acquired cement is always whiter than that of ordinary cement. 

8. Compared to the cost of production in the case of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), slag cement has a pretty low cost of production. 

Disadvantages Of Using Blast Furnace Slag Cement:

The disadvantages of using slag cement are as follows,

1. Since the initial strength obtained by slag cement is low compared to ordinary cement, the product can never be used in the construction processes involving reinforced cement concrete (RCC).

2. Slag cement has a setting time of 60 minutes initially which is considered higher than ordinary cement. As a result, the product can never be used in construction processes involving any repair or emergency.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

1. What Are Slag Cement Disadvantages?

Since the initial strength of slag cement is low, it cannot be used in the construction work of RCC. 

2. What Is The Benefit Of Slag Cement?

When you use slag cement, you choose several crucial benefits like high workability and durability, amongst other options. 

3. Is Slag Good For Concrete?

Yes, slag is good for concrete because of several factors. The most important reason, however, is a reduction in energy and emission of greenhouse gasses. 

Conclusion:

Now that you know the many different uses, benefits, and even disadvantages of Blast Furnace Slag Cement, it will be easier to make the choice of whether or not to use it for any impending construction. An overview of how slag cement is obtained accompanied by a thorough discussion of its properties will only enable you to make the correct choice!

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