Discarded aluminium slag may soon replace cement in concrete

ABU DHABI (Scrap Monster): A research conducted at Qatar University proposes to partially replace cement with aluminium slags in concrete. The project initiated by the Centre of Advanced Materials (CAM) is likely to give new life to huge volumes of aluminium slags which are currently dumped in landfills. The use of aluminium slags would result in cost-effective and environment-friendly concrete structures.

The project team is led by Nesibe Gozde Ozerkan, assistant professor and assistant researcher at CAM. The team claims that the product mix specified in the research would help to reduce the final setting time for concrete by nearly 48%. Furthermore, it will reduce the corrosion of reinforcement steel used in concrete by over 50%, thereby resulting in increased durability of these structures.

The expanding property of aluminium slags make the mix ideal for use in building subfloors, blocks and pre-moulded panels. Apart from reducing the cost of concrete and savings in curing time, the reduced use of cement will control the pollution caused by cement production. Moreover, it also reduces environment pollution to a great extent.

The project is in line with the underlying principles of Qatar National Vision 2030. It makes use of harmful aluminum waste for useful production, thereby reducing the effect on environment.

Qatar University is a public university in Qatar, located on the northern outskirts of the capital Doha. Since its inception in 1973, Qatar University has become the country's national and major institution of higher education.