SAF Slag

Description

SAF Slag is a slag that was produced in a submerged arc furnace, and thus, will be a synthetic material aggregate. It has a granulated form as a result of the molten slag suddenly being quenched in water upon exiting the furnace. Due to the material that was smelted to produce SAF Slag, its elemental composition is somewhat reminiscent of an aluminosilicate material, since the two largest components of the slag are Silicon and Aluminum almost in equal amounts.

For use as an aggregate in cement or road bases, aggregates must conform to certain standards for optimum engineering use: they must be clean, hard, strong, durable particles, free of absorbed chemicals, and other fine materials, that could affect performance of the cement or road base.
SAF Slag is not harmed by alkalis, and contains no clay, shale, chert, organic compounds, or other harmful substances usually restricted in specifications for natural aggregates.

The pore spaces within SAF Slag are not interconnected, resulting in a structurally strong, stable aggregate, that is less susceptible to moisture damage. Physical property wise, SAF Slag is made up of a mixture of textured, angular granules, of various sizes, as well as needle like pieces. Because of this, the mechanical properties of mixes that use SAF Slag may exceed the mechanical properties of mixes made with natural aggregates. SAF Slag mixes may be more resistant to permanent deformation, have higher stiffness, and good frictional quality.

SAF Slag Applications (Basic Use):

SAF Slag can conditionally be used for the following basic use applications, among others:

• Replacement for Natural Sand products
• Key ingredient in non-structural Road Base and Concrete pavement surface treatments. Steel slags have been utilized successfully both as bound and unbound layers of pavement structures.
• As an aggregate either in bound surface layers of pavements, or in unbound sub-base or base layers of roads.
• For use in Backfill applications for utilities and Utility Line Bedding.
• Can be used as railroad ballast.
• SAF Slag can be used in geotechnical engineering projects, such as in the construction of highway embankments or in subgrade stabilization.
• SAF Slag can also be considered for use in soil stabilization, which can be attributable to chemical reactions and mechanical stabilization (due to the angularity and roughness of SAF Slag particles).

Please see the Technical Data Sheets tab for additional information on SAF Slag.