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

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%.