Magnetic separation is an effective method to recover iron from steel slag. However, the ultra-fine tailings generated from steel slag become a new issue for utilization. The dry separation processes generates steel slag powder, which has hydration activity and can be used as cement filler. However, wet separation processes produce steel slag mud, which has lost its hydration activity and is no longer suitable to be used as a cement filler. This study investigates the potential of magnetically separated steel slag for carbonation curing and the potential use of the carbonated products as an artificial reef. Steel slag powder and steel slag mud were moulded, carbonation-cured and seawater-cured. Various testing methods were used to characterize the macro and micro properties of the materials. The results obtained show that carbonation and hydration collaborated during the carbonation curing process of steel slag powder, while only carbonation happened during the carbonation curing process of steel slag mud. The seawater-curing process of carbonated steel slag powder compact had three stages: C-S-H gel formation, C-S-H gel decomposition and equilibrium, which were in correspondence to the compressive strength of compact increasing, decreasing and unchanged. However, the seawater-curing process of carbonated steel slag mud compact suffered three stages: C-S-H gel decomposition, calcite transfer to vaterite and equilibrium, which made the compressive strength of compact decreased, increased and unchanged. Carbonated steel slags tailings after magnetic separation underwent their lowest compressive strength when seawater-cured for 7 days. The amount of CaO in the carbonation active minerals in the steel slag determined the carbonation consolidation ability of steel slag and durability of the carbonated steel slag compacts. This paper provides a reference for preparation of artificial reefs and marine coagulation materials by the carbonation curing of steel slag.

Carbonation curing on steel slag is one of the most promising technologies for the iron and steel industry to manage its solid waste and carbon emissions. However, the technology is still in its demonstration stage. This paper investigates the market stakeholders of carbonation curing on steel slag for construction materials for its effective application by taking China as a case study. A holistic analysis of the competition, market size, and stakeholders of carbonation curing on steel slag was carried out through a literature review, a survey, a questionnaire, and interviews. The results showed that carbonation curing on steel slag had the advantages of high quality, high efficiency, low cost, and carbon reduction compared with other technologies. Shandong province was the most suitable province for the large-scale primary application of the technology. Stakeholder involvement to establish information platforms, enhance economic incentives, and promote adequate R&D activities would promote carbonation curing of steel slag into practice. This paper provides a reference for the commercialization of carbonation curing on similar calcium- and magnesium-based solid waste materials.

Steel slag as an alkaline industrial solid waste, possesses the inherent capacity to engage in carbonation reactions with carbon dioxide (CO₂). Capitalizing on this property, the current research undertakes a systematic investigation into the fabrication of high-carbonation precast concrete (HCPC). This is achieved by substituting a portion of the cementitious materials with steel slag during the carbonation curing process. The study examines the influence of varying water–binder ratios, silica fume dosages, steel slag dosages, and sand content on the compressive strength of HCPC. Findings indicate that adjusting the water–binder ratio to 0.18, adding 8% silica fume, and a sand volume ratio of 40% can significantly enhance the compressive strength of HCPC, which can reach up to 104.9 MPa. Additionally, the robust frost resistance of HCPC is substantiated by appearance damage analysis, mass loss rate, and compressive strength loss rate, after 50 freeze–thaw cycles the mass loss, and the compressive strength loss rate can meet the specification requirements. The study also corroborates the high-temperature stability of HCPC. This study optimized the preparation of HCPC and provided a feasibility for its application in precast concrete.