Carbon Sequestration Performance of Steel Slag-Based Foamed Concrete under Different Material Compositions and Curing Processes

doi:10.16552/j.cnki.issn1001-1625.2025.0965

Abstract

Abstract:

To elucidate the regulatory mechanisms governing the carbon sequestration performance and mechanical properties of steel slag-based foamed concrete （SSFC）， and to explore innovative pathways for the resource utilization of steel slag as well as the development of novel carbon-sequestering building materials， this study investigates the effects of steel slag content， carbonation time， and carbonation pressure on the CO₂ absorption rate and compressive strength of SSFC， and proposes a technical approach to enhance its carbon sequestration performance through of SSFC the synergistic use of pre-curing and an early-strength agent.The results indicate that increasing steel slag content， prolonging carbonation time， and elevating carbonation pressure progressively enhance the CO₂ absorption rate of SSFC. The compressive strength initially increases and subsequently decreases with higher steel slag content （peaking at 70% steel slag content by mass fraction）， and the compressive strength increases with the increase of carbonation time. Moreover， the synergistic effect of pre-curing and early-strength agents significantly improves carbon sequestration performance of SSFC. Under optimal conditions （70% steel slag content， 0.4% Li₂CO₃ content （mass fraction）， 5 d standard curing， and 0.3 MPa pressure for 24 h carbonation）， SSFC achieves a 13.0% CO₂ absorption rate with 6.9 MPa compressive strength， this study provides novel insights for developing next-generation carbon-sequestering foamed concrete.

Key words: steel slag, foamed concrete, carbonation curing, CO₂ absorption rate, compressive strength

CLC Number:

TU528.2

TANG Xiaosong, SONG Qiulei, LUO Jingjing, ZHANG Cheng, ZHANG Yuyang. Carbon Sequestration Performance of Steel Slag-Based Foamed Concrete under Different Material Compositions and Curing Processes[J]. BULLETIN OF THE CHINESE CERAMIC SOCIETY, 2026, 45(5): 1663-1670.

Figures/Tables 12

Table 1 Chemical composition of raw materials

Raw material	Mass fraction/%
Raw material	CaO	SiO₂	Al₂O₃	Fe₂O₃	MgO	K₂O	Na₂O	SO₃	LOI
Steel slag	44.17	8.68	1.56	33.90	3.07	0.10	0.33	0.17	1.67
Cement	63.43	20.84	4.68	3.56	3.29	—	0.55	2.30	1.48

Fig.1 XRD pattern of steel slag

Table 2 Performance indicators of foaming agent

Foaming agent	1 h sedimentation distance/cm	1 h bleeding volume/mL	1 h bleeding rate/%	Foam density/（g·L^-1）	Foaming multiple
Indicator	0.3	28.3	29.7	25.5	40

Table 3 Mix proportion of steel slag-based foamed concrete

Sample No.	Steel slag mass fraction/%	Mix proportion/（kg·m^-3）
Sample No.	Steel slag mass fraction/%	Steel slag	Cement	Water	Superplasticizer	Foam
C-24-50	50	333.3	333.3	133.3	6.7	20.2
C-24-60	60	400.0	266.7	133.3	6.7	20.2
C-24-70	70	466.7	200.0	133.3	6.7	20.2
C-24-80	80	533.3	133.3	133.3	6.7	20.2

Fig.2 Preparation process of SSFC

Fig.3 Effect of steel slag content on CO2 absorption rate and compressive strength of SSFC （carbonation at normal pressure for 24 h）

Fig.4 Effect of carbonation time on CO2 absorption rate and compressive strength of SSFC （normal pressure）

Fig.5 Effect of carbonation pressure on CO2 absorption rate and compressive strength of SSFC（carbonation time of 24 h）

Fig.6 Cracked SSFC

Fig.7 Effect of standard curing time and carbonation pressure combination on CO2 absorption rate and compressive strength of SSFC （carbonation time of 24 h）

Fig.8 Effect of early strength agent on CO2 absorption rate and compressive strength of SSFC （carbonation pressure with 0.3 MPa， carbonation time of 24 h）

Fig.9 SEM images of foamed concrete

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