Abrasion Behavior of Natural Aggregates and Slags in Turkey Aided by Micro-Deval Test

Abstract

The properties of aggregates over their lifetime vary depending on their petrographic origin, procurement and sampling methodologies, regional characteristics and testing procedures. This study was designed to investigate the short and long-term wear properties of aggregates, including slags, using a simple, effective and inexpensive Micro-Deval (MD) test. To accomplish this, ten types of products were obtained from different regions, including natural aggregates and slags of different origin. The aggregates were abraded with different MD drum speeds ranging from 5250 to 52500 in accordance with ASTM D6928 standard. Percentage mass losses (PML) were determined after the treatments to analyze the extent of abrasion caused by short and long term abrasive forces depending on the aggregate type. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of representative aggregates were taken to monitor the effect of abrasion on aggregate microstructure. According to the results, the PML of natural aggregates was observed significantly higher than that of slags, and the PML of slags after certain abrasion treatment tends to be stable, but not for natural ones. Based on regression analyses, a strong relationship between PML for individual aggregates was calculated, but a weak relationship was found based on the origin of the samples and total samples. SEM images taken from the surface of the aggregates confirmed the compatibility of the PML results with the abrasion characteristics showing the current situation.