Experimental study on the degradation law of f-CaO and optimization of expansion performance in steel slag treatment under different carbonation conditions

JIA Yao; LIU Fei; LI Dongdong; WANG Yifei; LIU Zunqing

doi:10.7513/j.issn.1004-7638.2026.03.012

Volume 47 Issue 3

Jun. 2026

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JIA Yao, LIU Fei, LI Dongdong, WANG Yifei, LIU Zunqing. Experimental study on the degradation law of f-CaO and optimization of expansion performance in steel slag treatment under different carbonation conditions[J]. IRON STEEL VANADIUM TITANIUM, 2026, 47(3): 107-115. doi: 10.7513/j.issn.1004-7638.2026.03.012

Citation:

JIA Yao, LIU Fei, LI Dongdong, WANG Yifei, LIU Zunqing. Experimental study on the degradation law of f-CaO and optimization of expansion performance in steel slag treatment under different carbonation conditions[J]. IRON STEEL VANADIUM TITANIUM, 2026, 47(3): 107-115. doi: 10.7513/j.issn.1004-7638.2026.03.012

Citation:

JIA Yao, LIU Fei, LI Dongdong, WANG Yifei, LIU Zunqing. Experimental study on the degradation law of f-CaO and optimization of expansion performance in steel slag treatment under different carbonation conditions[J]. IRON STEEL VANADIUM TITANIUM, 2026, 47(3): 107-115. doi: 10.7513/j.issn.1004-7638.2026.03.012

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Experimental study on the degradation law of f-CaO and optimization of expansion performance in steel slag treatment under different carbonation conditions

doi: 10.7513/j.issn.1004-7638.2026.03.012

1.
College of Traffic and Logistics Engineering, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, Xinjiang, China
2.
Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps Survey and Design Institute Co., Ltd., Urumqi 830002, Xinjiang, China
3.
Xinjiang Huli Jiayuan Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd., Urumqi 830000, Xinjiang, China

More Information

Received Date: 2025-10-28
Accepted Date: 2025-12-15
Rev Recd Date: 2025-11-28
Publish Date: 2026-06-29

Abstract

Abstract

To address the issues of expansion risks caused by the hydration of free calcium oxide (f-CaO) in steel slag and its low utilization rate of resources in road engineering applications, a carbonation treatment technology was employed. Single-factor and orthogonal experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of temperature, humidity, CO₂ concentration, and carbonation time on the f-CaO content in steel slag. The improvement effect of carbonation treatment on the volume stability of steel slag is verified by expansion rate tests. The results show that carbonation treatment can significantly reduce the f-CaO content in steel slag, and the f-CaO content decreases with the increase of temperature, humidity, CO₂ concentration, and carbonation time. The optimal carbonation process condition, derived from orthogonal experiments, were temperature of 25 ℃, humidity of 70%, CO₂ concentration of 20%, and carbonation time of 90 minutes. Under these conditions, the f-CaO content is minimized and carbonation efficiency was optimal, with the influence factors in descending order being temperature > CO₂ concentration > carbonation time > humidity. Expansion rate tests revealed that the optimal carbonation group exhibited a water immersion expansion rate of only 0.86% after 10 days, significantly lower than 1.8% of the uncarbonated group, demonstrating a significant improvement in the volume stability of steel slag. Additionally, incorporating carbonated steel into asphalt mixtures also significantly reduced the expansion rate while maintaining intact surface structure, confirming the effectiveness of carbonation treatment in improving the volume stability of steel slag. This study demonstrates that steel slag carbonation treatment not only effectively suppresses expansion and improves aggregate performance but also achieves CO₂ sequestration, providing a feasible pathway for the resource utilization of steel slag and the implementation of the "dual carbon" strategy.
- carbonation treatment,
- steel slag,
- free calcium oxide (f-CaO),
- volume stability,
- orthogonal test

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References(21)

References

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