THE USE OF ELECTRIC ARC FURNACE DUST FROM STEEL RECYCLING IN CERAMIC GLAZE

Abstract

Electric arc furnace dust (EAFD) is a waste from steel recycling in an electric arc furnace. Due to the waste mainly consisting of zinc ferrite along with a small amount of heavy metals such as lead and chromium, EAFD is categorized as a toxic waste. Even though proper treatments of EAFD offer crude zinc oxide and iron oxide, such appropriate EAFD recycling techniques have not yet been established in Thailand. The simplest way to reduce its toxicity is glassification. According to the EAFD’s chemical composition, it is possible to use it as a raw material in decorative ceramic glazes which contain zinc and iron oxides. This project focuses on the possibility of using EAFD in ceramic glazes. The replacement of EAFD for common raw materials in Namako glaze was attempted. Its toxic release was tested by means of the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure. The results showed that the EAFD-bearing glaze was very similar to the traditional Namako. The obtained glaze provided non-crackle, deep blue, glossy surfaces with very small crystals. Heavy metal release, particularly lead, from the leaching test was lower than FDA standards, suggesting the proposed glaze was safe enough. This indicated that EAFD can be applied as an alternative material for ceramic glazing.