Performance assessment of ferrochrome slag as partial replacement of fine aggregate in concrete

This study introduces the possible utilization of water cooled ferrochrome slag, an industrial waste from ferrochrome industry in concrete production. Traditional sand was substituted with six percentages (0% for reference mix, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50%) of ferrochrome slag by weight in all concrete mixtures. Leaching, micro-structural and mechanical properties, these three aspects were explored for the qualification of ferrochrome slag concrete. Different tests for the physical and mechanical performance of the concrete were done and the outcome demonstrated that substitution of sand by ferrochrome slag reduced a little in the performance of the strength and water absorption increases along with the increase of rate of substitution. However, the concrete having 30% ferrochrome slag shows almost comparable results with the reference mix. Leachability characteristics were also observed by pH dependence leaching test method for the five concrete samples and one raw slag sample. Moreover, micro-structural study of reference mix and concrete mix with 10-50% ferrochrome slag was performed by utilizing SEM techniques. This experimental study concludes that that ferrochrome slag can be used in the production of concrete as a partial substitution of traditional sand with no unfavourable ecological, micro-structural and mechanical effects.