HIGH MECHANICAL STRENGTH CELLULAR PRODUCT AS A CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL MANUFACTURED IN MICROWAVE FIELD

Abstract

The paper presents the results of the research for the production by a nonconventional method (using microwave irradiation) of a cellular glass with high mechanical strength from flat glass waste (86 – 95%), calcium carbonate (1%)  as a foaming agent and an addition of sodium silicate also called “water glass” (4 – 13%). The cellular glass samples had the apparent density between 0.40 – 0.45 g/ cm³, the thermal conductivity in the range 0.076 – 0.081 W/ m·K and the compressive strength between 4.9 – 6.2 MPa, having the characteristics of a foam glass gravel industrially manufactured by conventional methods and used in construction as materials resistant to high mechanical loads. The morphological characteristic specific for the thermal insulating materials, i.e. a homogeneous distribution of the pores, have been fulfilled, even in case of using a raw material (flat glass waste) which is, generally, avoided because it causes structural inhomogeneity of the glass foam. The energy efficiency of the making process is remarkable, the specific energy consumption having low values between 1.13 – 1.19 kWh/ kg.