Preliminary assessment of recycling Malaysia’s electric arc furnace (EAF) steel slag waste as one of raw materials for geopolymer ceramic product

Abstract

This research work investigated the suitability of electric arc furnace (EAF) slag as one of raw materials for geopolymer ceramic product. Two sets of different body formulations were used; EAF slag with and without presence of China clay were prepared in alkaline medium. In addition, this work also studied the effect of varying curing temperature on the properties of EAF slag waste-based geopolymer. The chemical and mineralogical of this geopolymer are characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Fourier Transfer Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The physical properties included water absorption, apparent porosity, and bulk density are well reported where phase analysis and functional groups present in the geopolymer supported the observations. Furthermore, the compressive strength obtained was in line with the result observed in physical properties.