Name: Steel slag analysis laboratory
Brand: FILAB
SKU: FILAB-221204
Rating: 4.9 (83 reviews)

Home • Our services • Our analysis services • Metallurgical analysis • Steel slag analysis laboratory

If you are in the metallurgy industry and would like to carry out an analysis of your steelmaking slag

Steel slag

Steelmaking slag is a solid residue generated during metal smelting processes (steelworks, foundries, etc.). Although they are often considered as waste, they can also be recycled as secondary materials, provided that their chemical composition and physico-chemical properties are perfectly controlled.

Why analyse your steel slag

Material recovery

Characterise your slag for reuse in other materials. A controlled composition is essential for obtaining outlets.

Environmental compliance

Assess the pollution risks associated with storage or disposal (presence of heavy metals, leaching behaviour, etc.). This is often a regulatory requirement.

Optimisation of metallurgical processes

Understand the nature of slags to adjust your melting parameters, improve yields or avoid the formation of undesirable slag..

Detection of anomalies or faults

Investigate quality drift, alloy defects or furnace malfunctions. Slag is often a good indicator of what is happening in the process.

Traceability and quality control

Monitor production batches, qualify a new process or compare materials from different suppliers.

The different types of steel slag

Slag from blast furnaces

Blast furnace slag is produced during the reduction of iron ore in the blast furnace. It is mainly composed of calcium silicates, alumina, magnesia and other oxides. It is found in two forms depending on the cooling method: vitrified when cooled rapidly, or crystallised when cooled slowly. This type of slag is widely used, notably as aggregate for concrete and bituminous mixes, as a calcium amendment in agriculture, and in cement works for the manufacture of blast furnace cement.

Converter slags

Converter slag, also known as LD or BOF slag, is generated when cast iron is converted to steel in oxygen furnaces. Its composition is rich in calcium oxide, iron oxide, silicates and phosphates. It is characterised by its high basicity and free lime content. This type of slag is mainly used for soil treatment. It can also be partially recycled in the steelmaking process, although it is generally less valuable than blast furnace slag, due to its more reactive composition.

Electric oven slag

Electric arc furnace slag, or EAF slag, is generated in electric arc furnaces, mainly used to produce steel from recycled materials. Its composition is highly variable, including silicates, metal oxides (iron, chromium, manganese) and lime. It may contain undesirable elements, such as hexavalent chromium, depending on the nature of the charge treated. It can be used in road applications, provided certain precautions are taken, but its use in the construction sector remains limited due to its potentially restrictive composition.

Secondary milk producers

Secondary slag, also known as ladle metallurgical slag, is formed during secondary metallurgical operations, in particular during the refining of steel in the ladle. Its composition is highly variable, depending on the additions made during processing, such as desulphurisation or deoxidation. This type of slag is generally not recovered to any great extent; it is often stored or partially recycled internally.

The FILAB laboratory can help you analyse iron and steel slag

Why choose FILAB for steel slag analysis?

For more than 30 years, FILAB, an expert in metallurgical analysis, has been providing high added-value steel slag analysis services to several thousand customers. Some of our analysis services are COFRAC ISO 17025, Pr 6000 and Pr 7210 accredited by Safran or linked to our customer approvals.