ASA member, Australian Steel Mill Services (ASMS) has joined forces with the University of Wollongong (UOW) to commence a new research project at the Steel Research Hub.

The research project entitled Transport Infrastructure Construction Using Steel Furnace Slag (SFS) will be undertaken by a PhD student at UOW with a focus on developing an alternative composite SFS material for transport infrastructure construction, in partnership with UOW-based supervisors and industry partners. 

The Steel Research Hub facilitates research projects with an overarching goal to support the transition of Australia's steel manufacturing industry into a more sustainable position by adopting practices and advanced manufacturing processes that help to reduce emissions and reach net zero.

Credit: University of Wollongong - Steel Research Hub

SFS is the co-product of the steel-making process in the Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF). The slag is removed from the vessel after the production of steel through the reaction of molten iron and recycled steel with oxygen and fluxes. SFS has limited applications compared to Blast Furnace Slag (BFS) because of SFS's potentially expansive properties when hydrated. 

Technical research undertaken in this project will explore possibilities of utilising SFS in engineering applications and integrating it with by-products from other industrial processes. For example, the research team are exploring SFS blended with various industrial by-product materials; coal wash; plastic; crushed recycle concrete, lime and serve as an engineered fill or a pavement material.

The Australian Steel Mill Services (ASMS) is a joint venture between Cement Australia and Edward C Levy Co (USA) to service the slag-handling contract at BlueScope Port Kembla NSW. ASMS are contracted to collect and treat molten slag from the blast furnace and steel-making processes. Each year, ASMS process and market approximately 1.2 million tonnes of slag. 

The UOW research team consists of multi-skilled individuals, with project leader Associate Professor Jayan S Vinod, Dr Pabasara Wanniarachchige, and PhD candidate Yeshwant Sunkara. The team will assess the engineering behaviour of the steel slag mixtures to try and optimise the mix designs with additives of other waste streams for the beneficial use in transport infrastructure construction. 

We're excited to see institutions collaborating with critical industry partners in the form of Mr. Gavin Tory, Chair of the Australasian (iron & steel) Slag Association (ASA) and his ASMS colleague, Mr. Benjamin Muscat.

(Pictured left to right) Associate Professor Jayan S Vinod, PhD candidate Yeshwant Sunkara, Dr Pabasara Wanniarachchige. 

For more information on the research project, click here.

To learn more about Australian Steel Mill Services, you can do so via their official website.