Thermodynamic analysis and formula optimization of steel slag-based ceramic materials by FACTsage software

Using steel slag as a main raw material of ceramics is considered as a high value-added way. However, the relationship among the initial composition, ceramic microstructure, and macroscopic properties requires further study. In this paper, a series of ceramics with different slag ratios (0–70wt%) were designed, and the software FACTsage was introduced to simulate the formation of crystalline phases. The simulation results indicate that mullite is generated but drastically reduced at the slag ratios of 0–25wt%, and anorthite is the dominant crystalline phase in the slag content of 25wt%-45wt%. When the slag ratio is above 45wt%, pyroxene is generated more than anorthite. This is because increasing magnesium can promote the formation of pyroxene. Then, the formula with a slag content of 40wt% was selected and optimized. X-ray diffraction results were good consistent with the simulation results. Finally, the water absorption and bending strength of optimized samples were measured.