Evaluation of Physical Properties of a Metakaolin-Based Alkali-Activated Binder Containing Waste Foam Glass

Abstract

Foam glass production process redounds to large quantities of waste that, if not recycled, are stockpiled in the environment. In this work, increasing amounts of waste foam glass were used to produce metakaolin-based alkali-activated composites. Phase composition and morphology were investigated by means of X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Subsequently, the physical properties of the materials (density, porosity, thermal conductivity and mechanical strength) were determined. The analysis showed that waste foam glass functioned as an aggregate, introducing irregular voids in the matrix. The obtained composites were largely porous (>45%), with a thermal conductivity coefficient similar to that of timber (<0.2 W/m∙K). Optimum compressive strength was achieved for 10% incorporation of the waste by weight in the binder. The resulting mechanical properties suggest the suitability of the produced materials for use in thermal insulating applications where high load-bearing capacities are not required. Mechanical or chemical treatment of the waste is recommended for further exploitation of its potential in participating in the alkali activation process.

Alkali-Activated Adsorbents from Slags: Column Adsorption and Regeneration Study for Nickel(II) Removal

“…Sarkar et al (2017) [15] reported specific surface area of 30.84 m 2 /g for geopolymer prepared from LD slag. Mácová et al (2020) [32] reported 19.8 m 2 /g total pore area for metakaolin-based geopolymers. Therefore, the surface area of sample prepared in this study, GP (LD, BFS, LS), was higher than the surface area of geopolymers presented in the literature.…”

Creating a Material Spectral Library for Plaster and Mortar Material Determination

“…The spectral library was created in 2020 and it consists of 20 materials that are commonly used for plaster and mortar production in the area of Central Europe. This set was created and delivered by the Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Department of Material Research that has long-term experience with plaster and mortar composition determination [28,29]. It provides material spectral information as well as their analysis using a scanning electron microscope.…”

Chemical and Microstructural Properties of Fly Ash and Fly Ash/Slag Activated by Waste Glass-Derived Sodium Silicate

“…Mácová et al investigated the production of a metakaolin-based alkali-activated concrete containing waste foam glass. Samples with high porosity (>45%), a low thermal conductivity coefficient (<0.2 W/mK), and low mechanical properties were obtained, suggesting the suitability of the mix for thermal-insulation applications [10].…”