FLAT GLASS WASTE EXPANDED WITH SILICON CARBIDE AND FLY ASH IN MICROWAVE FIELD

The paper presents experimental results obtained in the microwave field manufacturing of an economic and ecological glass-ceramic foam using as raw materials clear flat glass waste and coal fly ash and silicon carbide as a foaming agent. The experiments have shown that under the influence of microwave irradiation, foamed products have a good microstructural homogeneity, although it is known from the literature that the flat glass is not suitable for a foaming with uniform pore distribution. The optimal sample of glass-ceramic foam sintered at 977 degrees C had thermal insulation properties (apparent density of 0.42 g/cm(3) and thermal conductivity of 0.085 W/m.K) and high compressive strength of 2.4 MPa, being suitable for using as a thermal insulation building material. The product has the required characteristics of a thermal insulation material used in the field of construction and industrial. This material is a replacement for those commonly used. The advantages of using this product are: the low cost of the raw material consisting of a waste and an industrial by-product, the favorable ecological consequences and the low energy consumption of the unconventional manufacturing process.