Annually tons of waste glass is being generated all over the world. The glass waste remains unsustainable product being disposed as landfills, as it never decomposes in the environment. (An estimated survey shows that annually over 200 million tonnes of glass waste are sent to landfills.) We all know that glass is basically composed of silica.
Therefore when the glass waste is milled and used in concrete as partial replacement of cement, this remains a major step towards the development of environmental friendly, sustainable, economical and energy-efficient infrastructure systems.
The waste glass is milled down to micro size particles and used in replacement of cement and the compressive strength test results show that recycled glass along with concrete gave better durability and strength as compare to other samples. It does not only control cost but is also saving environment.
Why Glass Powder is preferred in Concrete?
More waste glass powder upto 60% can be used in concrete and it results show more dense properties at interfacial transition zone. The results also prove that all concrete when mixed with glass powder shows higher strength and compactness. It’s also observed that technically that in glass powder concrete the transport of water and chloride is hindered in high volume.
Thus the investigated results show that durability properties is up to 60%, when concrete with cement is replaced by finely grounded glass powder. Concrete where cement is replaced by glass powder exhibited the lowest porosity and highest strength.
The outcome of this combination and production aims to contribute towards sustainable development as it reduces the consumption of cement, thereby uses glass powder which helps in reducing the dumping of glass waste going into landfills.
Uses of glass powder:
One of the major use of glass powder is the replacement of cement in concrete. Beside its also used in crafts. Crafters subject it to high heat, and allow it to melt. The crafter can easily control and get the precise shades of color on ceramic pottery and can create visually distinctive and more interesting pieces. It is more likely used by crafter for reinforcement of synthetic resins and also for the surface treatment by blasting process, and path lines. Concrete is a common building material used for many purposes.
It is essential in the construction of buildings, roads, bridges and pathways. The mixture of cement and water is used as the aggregate to make concrete. The aggregate of cement and water produces a stone-like substance. Its binding properties helps to form a hard matrix like aggregate that is best to make concrete.
Certain additives like glass powder are also included in making the concrete slabs that changes its properties and strength ratio.
Why Ground Glass?
Research shows that inclusion of glass waste in the form of glass powder with a grind size of grind size of less than 10 microns gives better strength or durability to the concrete slabs.
Today the use of glass powders has fairly increased in industrial settings. A glass as we all know is an amorphous material which is solid, non-crystalline, typically transparent. Soda-lime glass is a common example.
Since tons of municipal waste comprises of glass waste; typically bottles. These bottles and glass waste are collected and finely ground and crushed for further processing and use. Since most powdered glass is obtained from used glass and waste, therefore it makes it more cost-effective resource. However, there are certain milled glass products which are sourced reject glass containers or sometimes from new glass for specific applications.
Glass Powders In Refractory Cement
Refractory cement is designed to perform at higher temperatures than regular cement. Research shows that using recycled glass in production not only helps the environment but also improves the strength and durability of the concrete slabs.
Glazes and Ceramics
Glass powders are also used in the manufacture of ceramics and glazes; since it can perform well at moderate and high temperature. Beside it also enhances the mechanical properties.
A key distinct advantage in the production of ceramics is that it accelerates the manufacturing process by reducing the melting temperature and meets the energy requirement as needed –This saves time and cost both.
Glass Powder used for Glass fiber products
Glass fibre products are often used for insulation and ground glass remains the prime source for manufacturing glass fibre-type materials.
Mineral Wool
Rock wool – also known as mineral wool is a fibrous product. It is formed from the melting down of natural materials and a source of silica (glass powder). The material is subjected to spinning and drying process where a wool-like material is formed.
Its important to take care of our environment. The industrial processes worldwide results in waste products and both powdered glass and limestone dust are among these waste products. Its important to deal with these industrial waste wisely before sending them to landfills.
Summary
Its important to take care of our environment. The industrial processes worldwide results in waste products and both powdered glass and limestone dust are among these waste products. Its important to deal with these industrial waste wisely before sending them to landfills.
Ground glass is a prime source of silica, at BSG Glass Chip, glass is crushed and then milled into glass powder for further commercial usage. Glass powder can be of various type and size; solder glass powders, borosilicate powder etc.
It has been found that the use of glass powder in concrete has replaced some level of cement usage and contributing in less environment damage and also resulting in enhanced concrete properties. Beside, for fibrous glass materials, glazes and ceramics the ground glass is an attractive additive and less expensive resource.
Its usage is notably beneficial for many applications and above all can divert huge quantities of glass from landfills.
