Evaluation of the use of blast furnace slag as an additive in mortars

Abstract Clinker is the raw material used in the manufacture of cement. However, this material is very harmful to the environment, since it is estimated that for every ton of clinker produced, about 1.0 ton of CO2 is released into the atmosphere. For this reason, alternatives were sought for the use of other materials that are less harmful to the environment. This has led to the use of industrial by-products with the aim of increasing their use and thus reducing the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere. Blast furnace slag is a by-product used in the manufacture of some cementitious products. The aim of this research is to conduct a study on the use of slag as an additive for cement or concrete. The mortar samples were tested according to Brazilian, American and European technical standards. Physical, chemical and compressive strength tests were carried out which confirmed the possibility of using the slag without chemical or thermal activation.