Carbonated industrial by-products as cement substitute: comparison with conventional supplementary cementitious materials

The valorisation of industrial by-products via carbonation is a valuable strategy to capture CO2 and reduce waste production. Reduction in clinker binder use can be achieved by using the treated powders as Supplementary Cementitious Material (SCM). However, the efficiency of carbonated products as SCMs has yet to be fully explored. This study investigates the hydraulic reactivity of carbonated Elec-tric Arc Furnace (EAF) slag and Cement By-Pass Dust (CBPD). Calorimetry and mechanical tests on mortars produced with cement replacements ranging from 10% to 30% are conducted. The findings are then compared with the performance of SCM conventionally incorporated into standard cement blends. The results indicate that both materials have the potential to serve as partial substitutes for cement, particularly in view of their low carbon footprint.