Slag Driveway Tools
One of the byproducts of steel and iron production is slag. The material is ground to a consistency that is similar to gravel in shape and size. The product is typically only available in areas where metal ore is smelted into pure metals. The slag varies depending on the metals being smelted and the quality of the ore. The process of building a driveway using slag utilizes the same tools as any other driveway project. Does this Spark an idea?
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Hauling
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Slag can be as much as 50 percent heavier than gravel at 1 1/2 tons per cubic yard. This varies depending on the type of slag and the size of the slag pieces. This means slag is commonly hauled by heavy trucks capable of dumping the material on site. Homeowners purchasing slag should make sure the property allows truck access and has vertical clearance, allowing the trucks to dump loads.
Spreading
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In large scale driveway projects payloaders and skid-steer loaders usually move and level the slag to form the driveway. In small scale projects shovels, rakes and wheelbarrows can be used. Keep in mind that the heavier weight of the slag will make the project of leveling the driveway more difficult and time consuming than with gravel.
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Benefits
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The pieces of slag often have flatter surfaces and sharper angles than crushed stone or gravel. Because of this, slag holds together better than crushed stone. This means the surface remains level and there is less compaction when the driveway is exposed to heavy traffic. Slag ground to a smaller size is used for bicycle or golf cart paths while larger slag pieces are used for vehicle driveways or parking lots. Slag is a co-product of metal production and thereby qualifies as a green product.
Other Uses
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Contractors also use slag as the aggregate in concrete and asphalt roads, driveways and parking lots. It can also be used to fill swamps and low land areas as part of land reclamation.
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