Analysis of the Impact of Sludge and Slag Waste on the Basic Properties of Cement Mortars

The article examined the influence of two additives, which are post-production waste from metallurgical processes, on the basic properties of cement mortars. Sludge and slag waste were used for testing. Both wastes were examined in terms of their chemical composition using a spectrometer, their specific density and grain composition were determined. As part of the tests, a series of standard mortars were made and the results obtained for modified mortars were compared to them. The produced cement composites used waste in amounts of 5, 10, 15 and 20% of the cement mass, used as a substitute for standard sand. After preparing the standard mortar and mortars containing additives for each series, consistency tests were performed using the flow table method. After an appropriate maturing time, flexural and compression tests were performed for all mortar series after 7 and 28 days of maturing, as well as water absorption tests. The research shows that the addition of these two wastes thickens the fresh cement mortar (from 0.62 to 15 %). The use of such waste also results in a decrease in flexural strength after 7 and 28 days (for sludge from 5 to 21% and for slag from 2 to 11%). However, the compressive strength of mortars decreased by 11% in the case of the addition of 20% of sludge and was almost the same as that of the standard mortar after the addition of 20% of slag.