SLAG CEMENT

Slag Cement in Concrete No. 1

WHAT IS SLAG CEMENT?

Slag cement, or ground granulated
blast-furnace slag (GGBFS), has been
used in concrete projects in the United
States for over a century. Earlier usage of
slag cement in Europe and elsewhere
Blast Furnace
demonstrates that long-term performance
is enhanced in many ways. Based on
these early experiences, modern design- known as granulation, is the rapid
ers have found that these improved quenching with water of the molten slag
durability characteristics help further into a raw material called granules.
reduce life-cycle costs and lower mainte- Rapid cooling prohibits the formation of
Granulated Slag nance costs. crystals and forms glassy, non-metallic,
silicates and aluminosilicates of calcium.
Using slag cement to replace a portion of
portland cement in a concrete mixture is
a useful method to make concrete better
and more consistent. Among the measur-
able improvements are:

• Better concrete workability

• Easier finishability
• Higher compressive and flexural
strengths
• Lower permeability Granulator
• Improved resistance to aggressive
chemicals These granules are dried and then
• More consistent plastic and hardened ground to a suitable fineness, the result
properties of which is slag cement. The granules
• Lighter color can also be incorporated as an ingredient
When iron is manufactured using a blast in the manufacture of blended portland
furnace, the furnace is continuously cement.
Slag Cement
charged from the top with oxides, fluxing
material, and fuel. Two products—slag
and iron—collect in the bottom of the
hearth. Molten slag floats on top of the
molten iron; both are tapped separately.

The molten iron is sent to the steel

producing facility, while the molten slag Ball Mills
is diverted to a granulator. This process,
SLAG CEMENT
RELEVANT TERMINOLOGY
Ground granulated blast-furnace slag Portland blast-furnace slag cement: A As with all concrete mixtures, trial
(GGBFS): A hydraulic cement formed blended cement consisting of an inti- batches should be performed to
verify concrete properties. Results
when granulated blast-furnace slag is mately interground mixture of portland
may vary due to a variety of circum-
ground to a suitable fineness. Commonly cement clinker and granulated blast-fur- stances, including temperature and
referred to as slag cement, or GGBFS. nace slag, or an intimate and uniform mixture components, among other
things. You should consult your slag
blend of portland cement and fine gran-
Hydraulic cement: A cement that sets ulated blast-furnace slag in which the
cement professional for assistance.
Nothing contained herein shall be
and hardens by chemical interaction amount of the slag constituent is within considered or construed as a war-
with water and is capable of doing so specified limits. ranty or guarantee, either expressed
under water. or implied, including any warranty
of fitness for a particular purpose.
Air-cooled blast-furnace slag: The
Blast-furnace slag: The non-metallic material resulting from the solidification
product, consisting essentially of sili- of molten blast-furnace slag under
cates and aluminosilicates of calcium atmospheric conditions. Subsequent
and other bases, that is developed in a cooling may be accelerated by applica-
molten condition simultaneously with tion of water to the solidified surface.
iron in a blast furnace. (This material can be mined and crushed
Granulated blast-furnace slag: The for use as aggregates in concrete or fill
glassy, granular material formed when material; it is not cementitious).
molten blast-furnace slag is rapidly Expanded blast-furnace slag: The
chilled by immersion in water. Also light-weight cellular material obtained
referred to as granules. by controlled processing of molten blast-
Portland cement: A hydraulic cement furnace slag with water, or water and Slag Cement Association
produced by pulverizing portland- other agents, such as steam or com- 6478 Putnam Ford Drive
cement clinker, usually containing pressed air, or both. (This is commonly Suite 219
calcium sulfate. used as lightweight aggregate; it is not Woodstock, GA 30189
cementitious).
Blended cement: A hydraulic cement phone: 678.494.8248
References
produced by intergrinding portland 1. ACI 116R-00, Cement and Concrete
fax: 678.494.8249
cement clinker with other materials, or Terminology, American Concrete Institute, e-mail:
by blending portland cement with other Farmington Hills, Michigan, 2000. [email protected]
materials, or by a combination of inter- 2. ACI 233R-95, Ground Granulated Blast- web:
Furnace Slag as a Cementitious Constituent in www.slagcement.org
grinding and blending.
Concrete; American Concrete Institute,
Farmington Hills, Michigan, 1995.

About the Slag Cement Association…

The Slag Cement Association is the leading source of knowledge on blast-furnace slag-based cementitious products. We promote
the increased use and acceptance of these products by coordinating the resources of member companies. We educate customers,
specifiers and other end-users on the varied attributes, benefits and uses of these products.

Printed on recycled paper.

© 2002 Slag Cement Association