Gerdau

Learn about some of Gerdau´s by-products:

Scale

This material is created by oxidation of the steel’s surface when it comes into contact with the oxygen. It is generated during the casting, forging, and the hot and cold rolling processes. It is predominantly constituted of metal oxides present in the steel’s composition, with the majority of this being iron oxide.

Main applications:

Used as a raw material in sintering, in the cement industry, for the production of concrete, and in iron alloys. Some parts of the scale are used to enrich the metallic charge in pig iron and steel furnaces.

Steelmaking Slag

This is a by-product formed by the production of steel at melt shop. It plays an important role in process control and steel quality. It is composed mainly the following oxides: calcium, iron, silicon, magnesium, manganese, aluminum, phosphorus and sulfur.

Main applications:

After processing, it is used as aggregate for paving, drainage, rip rap construction, gabions, for the production of concrete tiles and asphaltic mixtures, and as recycled material at the furnace.

Blast Furnace Slag

This is a by-product formed by the production of pig iron in blast furnaces. It is formed by ore gangue, reducing agent ash and fluxes. It is composed mainly the following oxides: calcium, silicon, aluminum, magnesium.

Main applications:

The material is granulated and used in the production of cement.

Ore Fines

It is a material that results from the handling or screening of iron ore. It appears in the form of fine iron oxide particles.

Main applications:

As a raw material for sintering and in the cement production.

Coal and coke fines

These are materials resulting from the handling or screening of coal or coke. This material has a very small grain size.

Main applications:

As fuel for re-use in steelworks or other industries.