Influence of Sintering on Thermal, Mechanical and Technological Properties of Glass Foams Produced from Agro-Industrial Residues

Abstract

This study investigates the technological, thermal, mechanical, and technological properties of glass foams produced with soda-lime glass residues and rice husk ash sintered at 850–950 °C. The results for apparent density (0.28–0.30 g/cm3), porosity (82–87 ± 4%), compressive strength (1.18 ± 0.03–1.25 ± 0.03 MPa), and thermal conductivity (0.283–0.326 W/mK) are within the limits for commercial foams. The volumetric expansion potential and low thermal conductivity of the glass foams produced favor their use as thermal insulating materials in coat walls, thus improving thermal comfort in the construction sector. The results of X-ray fluorescence show that the foam glass is of the soda-lime type (SiO2, Na2O, and CaO), the rice husk ash is rich in SiO2, CaO, Na2O, Al2O3, K2O and Fe2O3, and the calcium carbonate is rich in CaO. The glass foams produced in this study are promising because they present more economical and efficient manufacturing, resulting in lightweight materials with thermal insulating properties that can be used in the construction sector. These glass foams also reduce the consumption of natural and synthetic raw materials, adding value to the waste used in this study by transforming them into co-products, thus favoring the economic circulation of the region.