Preparation and performance of lightweight porous ceramics using metallurgical steel slag

In this paper, porous ceramics with high porosity and low bulk density were prepared by using steel slag and kaolin as main raw materials and polyurethane sponge as template. The effects of steel slag particle size, zirconia addition, the solid content of the slurry, and the addition of polycarboxylic acid water-reducing agent on the properties of ceramics were studied. In addition, by adding a surfactant (Sodium dodecyl sulfate) to form fine pores on the original framework of the three-dimensional network porous ceramic, the shortcomings of the single as well as the uncontrollable density and porosity of the porous ceramic, which are produced by the template method, are improved. When the grinding time of steel slag is 90 min, the content of zirconia is 3% wt, the solid content of ceramic slurry is 64% wt, and 0.6% wt polycarboxylic acid water-reducing agent and 0.4% of surfactant are added, the prepared porous ceramic skeleton is clear and good. The porous ceramic has a low bulk density (as low as 157.869 kg/m 3 ), high porosity (about 94.05%) and high compressive strength (0.2 MPa). The crystalline phase of it is mainly composed of anorthite, gehlenite, forsterite and quartz. The addition of zirconia, water-reducing agent and surfactant only changes the macrostructure of porous ceramics, and does not change its crystal phase composition. The preparation of porous ceramics from steel slag not only solves the recycling problem of steel slag, but also provides a good substitute for main raw materials of porous ceramics.