Structural characterization of Na2O–CaO–SiO2 glass ceramics reinforced with electric arc furnace dust

The microstructure of three different compositions of electric arc furnace dust (EAFD) from steel scrap recycling facilities mixed with cheap raw materials (SiO2, Na2O, CaO), treated under the same conditions were examined by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Wollastonite-type crystals were identified as the major crystalline phases. The initial composition of the mixtures was found to influence the type of crystals formed. The distribution of the elements in the glass matrix and the crystals in the as-casted and crystallized samples as well as the role of EAFD in the crystallization process were studied in an attempt to understand the mechanism of wollastonite-type crystals formation.