Steel slag can be the material for which of the following?
- Construction of base road
- Improvement of agricultural soil
- Production of cement
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Explanation
The construction of the base road is correct
- Steel slag, a by-product of steel making, is produced during the separation of the molten steel from impurities in steel-making furnaces. The slag occurs as a molten liquid and is a complex solution of silicates and oxides that solidifies upon cooling.
- Steel slag is used as a material in the construction of base layers for roads and highways. Its strong, dense, and durable nature ensures it provides a stable foundation. Moreover, it has excellent drainage properties, making it ideal for use in road construction, particularly in areas with high moisture levels.
- India’s First Steel Slag Road was built at Hazira, Surat, by AMNS India and CSIR-CRRI in April 2022. Countries like the USA and Japan use slags extensively (more than 70% of the output) in areas such as housing, road construction, and land and mine filling.
Improvement of agricultural soil is correct
- The use of steel slag as fertilisers and soil nutrients is gaining importance across the globe as it represents an eco-friendly application wherein the advantages of the chemical properties of steel-making slag can be utilised to promote the growth of plants and increase the yield of agricultural products, particularly in areas where the soil is acidic. Developed countries like Japan and the USA have taken the lead in producing fertilisers such as slag silicate fertiliser, by-product lime fertiliser, slag phosphate fertiliser, or iron matter of special fertiliser using steel-making slag.
Production of cement is correct
- Steel slag can be used in cement production as a supplementary cementitious material. The slag’s chemical composition helps improve the strength and durability of the cement.
