Harsco Metals Poland offers its clients the following grain fractions consistent with standard PN-EN 13242+A1: 2010
0/8; 0/10; 0/16; 0/31.5; 31,5/63; 0/63; 16/63; 40/90; 0/180; 63/250 mm
and others on request of the recipient.
Primary advantages of steel slag aggregates are:
high strength
high freeze resistance
high abrasion resistance
low absorbability
high quality
competitive price
The structure of steel slag is angular, rough and cellular, making it ideal for the road construction purposes. Particles of slag interlock and wedge each other, creating a firm foundation in the road substructure.
Field and laboratory tests have shown that the steel slag aggregate is highly resistant to freezing and thawing. In addition, the slag is characterized by a complete lack of settlement once the foundation is complete, allowing for immediate placing of subsequent layers.
This exceptional stability and many other positive characteristics eliminate the possibility of forming ruts, and the substructures are strong and durable, therefore do not require any expenditures to repair damages.
Properties of steel slag aggregate in comparison to natural aggregates
| Basic physical and mechanical parameters | Steel slags | Natural aggregates | ||
| Value | Category | Value | Category | |
| Freeze resistance | 0,2% – 0,7% | F1-3 | 0,4% – 1,8% | F1-6 F2-1 F4-1 |
| Absorbability | 0,4% – 0,5% | WA242 | 0,5% – 2,4% | WA24 Declared |
| Resistance of the aggregate to fragmentation (LA coefficient) |
15% – 23% | LA15 LA20 LA25 |
20% – 35% | LA20 LA25 LA30 |
| Resistance of the aggregate to abrasion (MDE coefficient) |
3% – 15% | MDE10 MDE15 |
11% – 25% | MDE15 MDE20 MDE25 |
| Resistance of the aggregate to thermal shock VLA |
0,2% – 0,7% | 0-1 | 0,03 – 1,8 | 1-4 |
Nowadays, there are more and more applications of artificial aggregates in building and road construction. They are usually cheaper than natural aggregates, with comparable physical and mechanical properties.
In terms of strength, artificial aggregates are comparable to natural aggregates. They meet quality, durability and environmental requirements, and do not pollute soil or groundwater. Thanks to these properties, our aggregate is widely used in road engineering (construction of roads, highways, roadsides, parking lots etc.) and in railway construction. Production of alternative aggregates from waste and associated materials constitutes proper implementation of the basic objectives and principles of waste management, i.e.: minimization of the volume of wastes and their adverse impact on the environment, recovery consistent with the principles of environmental protection, rendering other waste products harmless (including the production of artificial aggregates).
Alternative aggregates help increase the profitability of road investments, but above all enable us to protect deposits of natural resources from over-exploitation and remove already existing waste landfills. In this way, we not only care about the implementation of the principles of sustainable development and environmental actions, but also enable the local community to develop the areas of previous landfills. The local community can use them for subsequent investments and ensure their proper economic development.
Aggregates produced from the slag obtained from current production, in contrast to dump slag, must be aged at a stabilization landfill for at least six months. They consist mainly of calcium and magnesium silicates, iron and manganese oxides, crystallized during slow cooling process.
The above advantages and environmental aspects of these aggregates caused that more and more often they are used worldwide in the construction of highways, including sections with the highest mobility load, as well as in modernization of racetracks’ surface due to the great roughness.
