Use of Nickel in Iron Slag for Paving Asphalt Concrete

Abstract

This study presents physical and chemical properties of iron nickel slag obtained from metallurgical Plants of Barro Alto and Niquelândia, owned by Anglo American and located in Goiás State, Brazil. Current results for real and apparent density, bulk density, particle size distribution by sieving, absorption and results for ligand physical characterization used in the mix are presented. Aspects related to the process for obtaining this material as a by-product in the FeNi Plant are also described. From slag samples analysis was possible to obtain a trace of asphaltic concrete mix, using the Pen50/70 and concentration of ligands equal to 5%, 6% and 7% in the the mixture, which was measured by Marshal method. Results of tensile strength tests, by diametrical compression, volume percentage of voids, empty bitumen ratio, stability and fluency, to determine the optimum binder content of asphalt mix are described. The results indicate that the iron nickel slag particle size distribution can be classified from medium to coarse sand, and, according to their chemical composition, can be considered as an inert material according to Brazilian norms for classification of waste ABNT - NBR 10004/2004. The high values of tensile strength, resilient moduli and stability, be a cluster point of promising use alternative paving in low cost.