NONCONVENTIONAL TECHNIQUE FOR PRODUCING HIGH MECHANICAL STRENGTH GLASS FOAM FROM GLASS WASTE

Abstract

In the work experimental results on the manufacture of glass foam with high mechanical strength from glass waste are presented. By replacing the usual conventional energy source with a nonconventional energy (electromagnetic waves) the heating efficiency allows a fast and economical manufacturing process. Calcium carbonate as a foaming agent and an addition of sodium silicate (aqueous solution) as a binder were used. By their physico-mechanical and morphological features (0.40-0.66 g/ cm3 the apparent density, 0.054-0113 W/ m·K the thermal conductivity, 2.2-6.3 MPa the compressive strength, below 1.2 % the water absorption and under 2 mm the pore size), the foams are appropriate for their use as replacer of existing similar building materials on the market.