Blast Furnace Slag
Introduction | Granulated Blast Furnace Slag | Granulated Blast Furnace Slag for Export
Granulated Blast Furnace Slag
It is produced in granulators, where it is quenched by means of high-pressure water jets, by keeping the excess water and not enough time for the formation of crystals. In this process it becomes granulated and "vitrified".
Macroscopically, the GBFS is presented with an aspect of a coarse, porous, and vitreous fracture sand, when observed through a magnifying glass. The maximum size of the grain is about 5 mm, having white yellowish and brown colors. When well granulated, this type of slag is essentially amorphous.
The most important feature of the GBFS is its potential hydraulic capacity, which allows it to harden (cementing property) when ground and in contact with water, thus being able to replace the clinker, which is a material traditionally utilized in the production of compound cements.
To this date, the utilization of GBFS in the Civil Construction has represented the biggest market for ArcelorMittal Tubarão. During the process of cement production, for instance, GBFS is used for partially replacing the clinker consumed, thus reducing to a great extent the CO2 emissions to the atmosphere. These emissions take place during the processes of production and exploration of natural reserves of limestone and clay, which are clinker's raw material.
The GBFS market for cements has expanded a lot in the past years, having the slag cement as the most commercialized in Brazil (according to the report from SNIC in 2001 - National Union for the Cement Industry). The percentages of GBFS addition vary according to the desired product or some specific application.
The application of GBFS can also bring advantages for concretes. Among these advantages, we may highlight higher final resistances and durability, depending on the final application. These can be:
- Lower risk of cracking (GBFS low hydration heat);
- Better workability and plasticity;
- Higher final resistances: the concretes made out of Blast Furnace cements (CP III) tend to present higher final resistance values, if compared to concretes produced out of some types of cements;
- Lower porosity and permeability: it provides a good durability;
- Potential prevention of alkaline-aggregate reaction (ASTM C989 - 97);
- Increased corrosion resistance by chlorides and sulfates (NBR 5737).
All these pieces of information come from assays and researches carried out by several institutions in Brazil and around the world, which serve to prove the quality of the GBFS in concretes.
Transportation
The location of ArcelorMittal Tubarão, near important transport access ways; roadways (BR 101 and BR 262), railways (EFVM and FCA) and maritime (CVRD's port), makes it possible to supply several markets in Brazil (e.g.: the states of Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, etc...) and also, the export of this product -Granulated Blast Furnace Slag for Export.
Contact:
Eng. Edson de Oliveira LimaSales Executive
Tel: (+55 27) 3348-1246 
E-mail: edson.lima@arcelormittal.com
Eng. Jairo de Mattos Pereira FilhoSales Executive
Tel: (+55 27) 3348-1395
E-mail: jairo.mattos@arcelormittal.com.br
ArcelorMittal Tubarão
Av. Brigadeiro Eduardo Gomes, 930
Jardim Limoeiro, Serra,
Espírito Santo
Zip Code 29163-970. PCE 41
Siderúrgica produtora de placas de aço, aços planos, bobinas e laminados a quente.
