The demand of green and recycling technology has become, nowadays, a crucial issue for the scientific community. In this work, a preliminary approach for safe and reliable "black slag" use is discussed on chemical and microstructural characterization basis. Different EAF slag types, coming from several steelmaking plants, are analyzed. The characterization is aimed to explain the diffusion, dissolution and releasing mechanisms of the polluting elements that affect the black slags and avoid their recycle as alternative filler materials. Furthermore, the work focuses on the leaching inhibition of these dangerous species in the environment.Experiments involve SEM-EDS and SEM-EBS analysis and elution tests, according to the UNI EN 12457 standard, on high FeO content slag, on slag featured by chromium high content and on slag with low FeO content. The analysis allows to recognize the phases responsible for the polluting elements releasing and to identify the phases to be promoted in order to obtain a safe and inert by-product.

The black slag produced during the melting process in electric arc furnace can be used as adjunct in the operation of land filling, building operation of road grounds, and production of concrete. Their use limitation is due to the presence of polluting chemical elements, including Cr, Ba, V, Mo, etc, that can be dangerous for human and environment, resulting by using of polluted scraps (i.e., painted, lubricated, or polymeric compound scraps). The release extent of polluting elements appears to behave as a function of the constituent phases, i.e., CaO, SiO2, Al2O3, MgO, etc. The main tools employed in the characterization of the black slag consists in optical basicity calculation, SEM‐EBS and SEM‐EDS analysis. The combination of the data coming from chemical analysis, micro‐structural examination and releasing tests allows to identify the correct chemical range avoiding dangerous chemical release and to develop a working disposal procedure for the investigated slag.

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