Table 5 LD slag application as a cementitious binder.

Conjeaud et al., (1981)

Modification during generation process through 6–15% alumina addition

31 @ 7 (93.5%)

41 @ 28 (41.71%)

Quenching of LD slag-no impact on hydraulic properties

–

Free lime reduced to 4%

Dongxue et al., (1997)

As-received LD slag

38.1 @ 3 (2.97%)

50.2 @ 7 (0%)

66.2 @ 28 (− 4.19%)

Flexural strength—increased

Porosity—increased

30%

Slight expansion with carbonate and sulfate resistance

Duda (1989)

NaOH treatment of ground LD slag

25 @ 7 (–34.21%)

45 @ 28 (− 18%)

68 @ 182 (1.49%)

Durability—negatively affected

30%

NaOH acts as an accelerator for hydraulic reactions of LD slags

Murphy et al., (1997)

Granulation of LD slag

@ 7 (− 5%)

@ 4 (30%)

@ 35 (19%)

Not mentioned

20%

Quenching improved the hydration of LD slag

Zhang and Chen (2017)

Alkali activation of LD slag

30 @ 7 (− 6.21%)

36 @ 14 (− 5.26%)

44 @ 28 (− 4.34%)

Setting time—increased

20%

Ettringite development responsible for early strength

Singh and Vashistha (2021)

Mechano-chemical activation: 20-min ball milling, then sodium silicate and sodium sulfate activation of LD slag

14.78 @ 3 (0.11%)

22.68 @ 7 (0.12%)

34.45 @ 28 (23.51%)

Slag activity index—increased with alkali activation of slag

30%

Free lime content reduced; slag activity index increased from 58 to 73%

Guo and Pan (2020)

Fly ash–slag based Geopolymer

15.0 @3 (130.77%)

21.7 @ 7 (60.74%)

42.0 @ 14(40%)

Flexural strength—increased

50%

Geopolymer mortar developed more strength than geopolymer paste

Zhu et al., (2021)

Steel slag–metakaolinite-based geopolymer

31 @3 (− 18.39%)

33@7 (− 24.7%)

38@ 28 (− 7.32%)

Flexural strength—decreased

10%

Slag contributed to the compressive strength improvement at a later age