Potential Use of Pomalaa Nickel Slag as a Substitute for Sand in Brick Making

Abstract

Abstract The latest variance of nickel slag from PT. Antam Pomalaa has that material gradation size equivalent to sand has, so it has potentially as a sand substitute material. The study aims to determine the use of fine nickel slag as a substitute for sand in brick making. Nickel slag used is variation of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% against of total weight of sand. The brick is designed with a cement – sand ratio of 1 : 7. The exprimental is a hollow brick with dimension of 40 cm×18 cm×10 cm. Compressive test is done after brick curing along 28 days. The maximum result of compressive test is obtained in the use of 50 % nickel slag of 19.58 kg/cm2 compared to the brick without nickel slag of 12.92 kg/cm2. The conclusion that by using a fine nickel slag type of FeNi 4 up to 50 % on production, it can reduce sand use and improve the strength up to 51%.