Synergistic mechanisms of steel slag, granulated blast furnace slag, and desulfurization gypsum in high-content steel slag-based cementitious backfill materials

In the steel slag-based mine backfill cementitious material systems, the hydration reaction mechanisms and synergistic effects of steel slag (SS), granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS), and desulfurization gypsum (DG) are crucial for performance optimization and regulation. However, existing studies...

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Main Authors: Jianshuai Hao, Zihan Zhou, Zhonghui Chen, Yanjun Shen, Kuizhen Fang, Fei Tang, Fengyang Xin, Lingfei Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:International Journal of Mining Science and Technology
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095268625000849
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author Jianshuai Hao
Zihan Zhou
Zhonghui Chen
Yanjun Shen
Kuizhen Fang
Fei Tang
Fengyang Xin
Lingfei Zhang
author_facet Jianshuai Hao
Zihan Zhou
Zhonghui Chen
Yanjun Shen
Kuizhen Fang
Fei Tang
Fengyang Xin
Lingfei Zhang
author_sort Jianshuai Hao
collection DOAJ
description In the steel slag-based mine backfill cementitious material systems, the hydration reaction mechanisms and synergistic effects of steel slag (SS), granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS), and desulfurization gypsum (DG) are crucial for performance optimization and regulation. However, existing studies have yet to fully reveal the underlying synergistic mechanisms, which limits the application and promotion of high SS content in mine backfill and low-carbon building materials. This study systematically explores the synergistic effects between various solid wastes and their regulation of the hydration process in the SS-based cementitious system through multi-scale characterization techniques. The results show that GBFS, by releasing active Si4+ and Al3+, triggers a synergistic activation effect with Ca2+ provided by SS, promoting the formation of C-S-H gel and ettringite, significantly optimizing the hardened paste microstructure. When the GBFS content reaches 30%, the C-S-H content increases by 40.8%, the pore size distribution improves, the proportion of large pores decreases by 68.7%, and the 90-day compressive strength increases to 5 times that of the baseline group. The sulfate activation effect of DG accelerates the hydration of silicate minerals, but excessive incorporation (>16%) can lead to microcracks caused by the expansion of AFt crystals, resulting in a strength reduction. Under the synergistic effect of 8% DG and 30% GBFS, the hydration reaction is most intense, with the peak heat release rate reaching 0.92 mW/g and the cumulative heat release amount being 240 J/g. By constructing a “SS-GBFS-DG-cement” quaternary synergistic system (mass ratio range: SS:GBFS:cement:DG=(50–62):(20–40):10:(8–12)), the matching of active components in high-content SS systems was optimized, significantly improving microstructural defects and meeting engineering application requirements. This study provides a theoretical basis for the component design and performance regulation of high-content SS-based cementitious materials.
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series International Journal of Mining Science and Technology
spelling doaj-art-a6b16f423e884d62a45f11a4fa30ba862025-08-20T03:28:38ZengElsevierInternational Journal of Mining Science and Technology2095-26862025-06-013561005101810.1016/j.ijmst.2025.05.007Synergistic mechanisms of steel slag, granulated blast furnace slag, and desulfurization gypsum in high-content steel slag-based cementitious backfill materialsJianshuai Hao0Zihan Zhou1Zhonghui Chen2Yanjun Shen3Kuizhen Fang4Fei Tang5Fengyang Xin6Lingfei Zhang7College of Geological Engineering and Geomatics, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710064, China; School of Mechanics and Civil Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing, Beijing 100083, ChinaCollege of Geological Engineering and Geomatics, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710064, China; Corresponding author.School of Mechanics and Civil Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing, Beijing 100083, ChinaCollege of Geological Engineering and Geomatics, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710064, ChinaDepartment of Civil Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, ChinaSchool of Emergency Management and Safety Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing, Beijing 100083, ChinaDigital and Intelligent Industry Center, CCTEG Shenyang Engineering Company, Shenyang 110013, ChinaDigital and Intelligent Industry Center, CCTEG Shenyang Engineering Company, Shenyang 110013, ChinaIn the steel slag-based mine backfill cementitious material systems, the hydration reaction mechanisms and synergistic effects of steel slag (SS), granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS), and desulfurization gypsum (DG) are crucial for performance optimization and regulation. However, existing studies have yet to fully reveal the underlying synergistic mechanisms, which limits the application and promotion of high SS content in mine backfill and low-carbon building materials. This study systematically explores the synergistic effects between various solid wastes and their regulation of the hydration process in the SS-based cementitious system through multi-scale characterization techniques. The results show that GBFS, by releasing active Si4+ and Al3+, triggers a synergistic activation effect with Ca2+ provided by SS, promoting the formation of C-S-H gel and ettringite, significantly optimizing the hardened paste microstructure. When the GBFS content reaches 30%, the C-S-H content increases by 40.8%, the pore size distribution improves, the proportion of large pores decreases by 68.7%, and the 90-day compressive strength increases to 5 times that of the baseline group. The sulfate activation effect of DG accelerates the hydration of silicate minerals, but excessive incorporation (>16%) can lead to microcracks caused by the expansion of AFt crystals, resulting in a strength reduction. Under the synergistic effect of 8% DG and 30% GBFS, the hydration reaction is most intense, with the peak heat release rate reaching 0.92 mW/g and the cumulative heat release amount being 240 J/g. By constructing a “SS-GBFS-DG-cement” quaternary synergistic system (mass ratio range: SS:GBFS:cement:DG=(50–62):(20–40):10:(8–12)), the matching of active components in high-content SS systems was optimized, significantly improving microstructural defects and meeting engineering application requirements. This study provides a theoretical basis for the component design and performance regulation of high-content SS-based cementitious materials.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095268625000849Steel slagMine backfillHydration processSynergistic mechanisms
spellingShingle Jianshuai Hao
Zihan Zhou
Zhonghui Chen
Yanjun Shen
Kuizhen Fang
Fei Tang
Fengyang Xin
Lingfei Zhang
Synergistic mechanisms of steel slag, granulated blast furnace slag, and desulfurization gypsum in high-content steel slag-based cementitious backfill materials
International Journal of Mining Science and Technology
Steel slag
Mine backfill
Hydration process
Synergistic mechanisms
title Synergistic mechanisms of steel slag, granulated blast furnace slag, and desulfurization gypsum in high-content steel slag-based cementitious backfill materials
title_full Synergistic mechanisms of steel slag, granulated blast furnace slag, and desulfurization gypsum in high-content steel slag-based cementitious backfill materials
title_fullStr Synergistic mechanisms of steel slag, granulated blast furnace slag, and desulfurization gypsum in high-content steel slag-based cementitious backfill materials
title_full_unstemmed Synergistic mechanisms of steel slag, granulated blast furnace slag, and desulfurization gypsum in high-content steel slag-based cementitious backfill materials
title_short Synergistic mechanisms of steel slag, granulated blast furnace slag, and desulfurization gypsum in high-content steel slag-based cementitious backfill materials
title_sort synergistic mechanisms of steel slag granulated blast furnace slag and desulfurization gypsum in high content steel slag based cementitious backfill materials
topic Steel slag
Mine backfill
Hydration process
Synergistic mechanisms
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095268625000849
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