NONCONVENTIONAL HEATING TECHNIQUE TO PRODUCE GLASS-CERAMIC FOAM FROM GLASS WASTE AND OLD CLAY BRICK WASTE

Abstract

The use of microwaves as a nonconventional energy source in the manufacturing process of glass-ceramic foam is presented in the paper. The main raw materials, representing 88wt.% of the load, are bottle glass waste and old clay brick waste, available in very large quantities. The weight ratio of the two waste types was varied between 3/1 – 3/2, aiming the improvement of the glass-ceramic foam mechanical strength. Substituting 40% from the glass waste mass with clay waste, it was obtained a high compressive strength of 3.35 MPa, in conditions where the apparent density and the thermal conductivity had relative low values (0.78 g/ cm³ and 0.099 W/ m · K, respectively). Due to his physical, mechanical and morphological features, the foamed product is usable in construction as replacer of similar materials existing on the market.