The investigated metallurgical materials are “Electrical Arc Furnace” (EAF) slags provided by Industeel France ArcelorMittal. These materials will be characterized and screened on site with “Portable X-Ray Fluorescence” (PXRF), and then sampled according to standardized sampling methods (e.g., NF ISO 10381) in order to provide representative samples for further testing and experimental work.
Analyses will be carried out on multiple samples for each material stream to find out the inherent variability and select representative samples for further analyses. Besides that, analyses regularly performed as quality control on the slag materials by Industeel France ArcelorMittal, the producer, will be used. A combination of chemical and mineralogical analyses will be performed on selected slag samples, in order to obtain the required information to design an optimal pre-concentration and leaching scenario. Chemical composition of all materials will be determined using “X-Ray Fluorescence” (XRF) and “Inductively Coupled Plasma – Optical Emission Spectrometry/Mass Spectrometry” (ICP-AES/MS). For the identification of crystalline phases, mineralogical analyses by “X-Ray Diffraction” (XRD) and Raman spectrometry will be performed. Cathodoluminescence and “Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy” (SEM/EDX) measurements will be carried out on selected samples to determine the morphological aspects. Particle size analysis will be performed by sieving and laser diffraction analysis. A complete “Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis/Differential Thermal Analysis” (TGA/DTA) study will also be performed. Additional analyses such as “Mineral Liberation Analysis” (MLA) will be carried out to determine the liberation degree and association of different elements contained in steel slags to further map the potential for leaching and to determine the full potential for metal recovery. These analyses will be conducted by BRGM and ARMINES/SPIN in collaboration with Industeel France ArcelorMittal.