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IS 12089:1987 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for granulated slag for the manufacture of portland slag cement. This standard specifies the chemical and physical requirements for granulated blast furnace slag, which is a key ingredient for manufacturing Portland Slag Cement (PSC). It ensures the quality, consistency, and suitability of the slag for producing durable and strong cement.
Specification for granulated slag for the manufacture of Portland slag cement
Overview
Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Materials Science — Cement, Concrete, Aggregates and RCC
! The glass content is the most critical parameter as it directly relates to the hydraulic (cementitious) activity of the slag.
! This standard is primarily used by cement manufacturers and quality control labs, not typically by site engineers for design or construction.
! Ensuring low moisture content and freedom from foreign materials as per Clause 3 is crucial for smooth plant operations and consistent cement quality.
Consolidated list per BIS. For the text of each amendment, refer to the BIS portal link above.
granulated slagcementadmixturesconcrete
International Equivalents
Similar International Standards
ASTM C989 / C989M-23ASTM International, USA
HighCurrent
Standard Specification for Slag Cement for Use in Concrete and Mortars
Specifies ground granulated blast-furnace slag (slag cement) for use in concrete, focusing on performance-based grades.
EN 15167-1:2006European Committee for Standardization (CEN), Europe
HighCurrent
Ground granulated blast furnace slag for use in concrete, mortar and grout - Part 1: Definitions, specifications and conformity criteria
Covers requirements for the chemical and physical properties of ground granulated blast furnace slag for use in concrete.
AS 3582.2:2015Standards Australia, Australia
HighCurrent
Supplementary cementitious materials - Part 2: Slag - Ground granulated iron blast-furnace
Specifies requirements for ground granulated iron blast-furnace slag for use as a cementitious material in concrete and mortars.
JIS A 6206:2013Japanese Industrial Standards Committee, Japan
HighCurrent
Ground granulated blast-furnace slag for concrete
Defines quality requirements for three types of ground granulated blast-furnace slag for use in concrete.
Key Differences
≠IS 12089 is highly prescriptive, mandating a very high minimum glass content (90%), whereas EN 15167-1 requires a lower minimum (66.7%) and ASTM C989 has no direct glass content requirement, relying instead on performance.
≠ASTM C989 classifies slag into performance grades (100, 120, 122) based on its 7 and 28-day Slag Activity Index (SAI), which is a performance-based approach not explicitly present in IS 12089.
≠IS 12089 specifies a maximum limit for Manganese Oxide (MnO) at 2.0%, a requirement not found in major international standards like ASTM C989 or EN 15167-1.
≠IS 12089 sets a very high maximum limit for Magnesium Oxide (MgO) at 17.0%, which is significantly higher than what is typically accepted or practiced under other international frameworks, which often rely on autoclave expansion tests for durability assurance.
Key Similarities
≈All standards define the source material as the glassy, non-metallic product obtained by rapid quenching of molten slag from an iron blast furnace.
≈A core principle across all standards is the evaluation of the slag's hydraulic activity, ensuring it will contribute to the strength of the final concrete or cement product, although the test methods and specific criteria differ.
≈All standards place limits on the maximum allowable content of Sulphide Sulphur (S²⁻) to control potential durability issues, with IS 12089 and EN 15167-1 having similar limits.
≈All standards specify fineness (specific surface area) as a key physical property, recognizing its significant influence on the rate of reaction and strength development.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Glass Content, % min
≥ 90
≥ 66.7 (2/3)
EN 15167-1
Glass Content, % min
≥ 90
Not Specified (Performance-based)
ASTM C989
Sulphide Sulphur (S²⁻), % max
2.0
2.5
ASTM C989
Manganese Oxide (MnO), % max
2.0
Not specified
EN 15167-1
Magnesium Oxide (MgO), % max
17.0
Not specified in slag standard; performance tests like autoclave expansion are used.
ASTM C989
Fineness (Blaine), m²/kg min
300
275
EN 15167-1
Activity Index at 28 days, % min
Hydraulic Index test method specified, but no minimum value in the slag code itself (it's defined in the cement code IS 455).
≥ 75% for Grade 100; ≥ 100% for Grade 120
ASTM C989
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values7
Quick Reference Values
Minimum Glass Content85% by mass
Maximum Sulphide Sulphur (S)2.0% by mass
Maximum Manganic Oxide (Mn2O3)5.5% by mass
Maximum Magnesium Oxide (MgO)17.0% by mass
Minimum Hydraulic Index (CaO+MgO+1/3Al2O3)/(SiO2+2/3Al2O3)1.0