Glass-ceramic foams produced from zeolite-poor rock (Tokaj)

Abstract

AbstractThis study evaluated the possibility of producing innovative glass-ceramic foams from zeolite-poor rock (Tokaj, Hungary) using alkali-activation and reactive sintering techniques. The composition and morphology of the samples were studied using X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscope, and computed tomography techniques. The influence of various sintering temperatures on glass-ceramic foams was examined. It has been observed that zeolite-poor rock has a self-foaming capability. The heat treatment temperature affects the pore size and distribution as well as the technical characteristics of the obtained samples. The resulting glass-ceramic foams possess moderate thermal conductivity ranging from 0.11 to 0.17 W mK−1 and good compressive strength (1.5–4.4 MPa). The produced samples might be utilized for thermal insulation, which would have both economic and environmental advantages.