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In this study, we reported the studies on a glass-ceramic foam with wollastonite and cristobalite micrometric crystals prepared by sintering a borosilicate glass waste with organic binder as foaming agent. The waste glass, coming from the dismantling of washing machine, was characterized by high CaO content and low-temperature sinterability. The effect of the temperature on the sinter-crystallization ability of the borosilicate glass waste was followed with thermal analysis, heating microscopy, and electron scanning microscopy (ESEM) observations. Additionally, the effect of temperature on the evolution of crystalline phases and density variation was monitored with XRD and density measurements. The softening started at 800°C and crystallization at 845°C to be completed at 900°C with a linear expansion of 38-40% in the range 850-900°C. Wollastonite and cristobalite were identified as crystalline phases in variable proportions dependently upon temperature. No crack evidence was found at high ESEM magnification even though cristobalite crystals were present. The final products showed a total porosity around 78-79% and an apparent density of about 0.5 g/cm 3 , in line with common porous closed-cell glass foams used for thermal insulation.

Nanocomposites of polycarbonate (PC) reinforced with nanosized silica particles were prepared by a melt mixing technique in an internal mixer. Two kinds of commercial hydrophilic fumed silicas differing in their specific surface area were added in amounts up to 5% by volume, and their reinforcing action was compared to that of organically modified silica, loaded in the same amounts. Particle–matrix interactions were investigated by means of rheological and dynamic-mechanical thermal analysis, demonstrating the important role played by the organic modifi- cation in the interactions with the polymer matrix, and showing an optimal nano- particle loading around 2 vol%. The scratch resistance of the nanocomposites obtained from hydrophilic silicas was investigated, and a remarkable enhancement in the indenter’s penetration resistance was observed for all the compositions with respect to pristine PC. The same behaviour was observed for the Shore D hardness and for the impact resistance of the nanocomposites that also significantly improved with the maximum load shifting from a minimum value of 521 N for pristine PC up to values grater than 1330 N for the nanocomposites, demonstrating the activation of effective mechanisms of energy dissipation due to the presence of the nanofillers

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