Effect of carbonation curing on the characterization and properties of steel slag-based cementitious materials

Steel slag (SS)-based cementitious materials usually exhibit poor bulk stability, poor early activity and low mechanical strength, which greatly limits the consumption of SS in construction materials. Carbonation curing can not only control volume expansion but also improve the mechanical properties and durability of SS-based cementitious materials. First, the physicochemical properties of the SS were summarized. Then, the reaction mechanism of carbonation curing was analyzed. Next, the mineral composition, microstructure, morphology and CO2 uptake of the SS-based materials during carbonation curing were discussed, and the effects of carbonation curing on the mechanical properties, volume stability and durability of the SS-based materials were investigated. Finally, some suggestions for the application of carbonation curing in SS-based materials were given. The development and application of carbonation curing in SS-based materials can achieve the large-scale utilization of SS in cementitious materials and the effective reduction of CO2 emissions.