Foam Glass for Soilless Cultivation Matrix Prepared by Using Boron Mud

Abstract

Foam glass was prepared by boron mud, broken glass, foaming agents and fluxes. The appropriate foaming temperature and foaming time were got by sintering parameter optimization. The effects of preparation conditions on propertis of the foam glass for soilless cultivation matrix were investigated. The results show that under the optimum preparation conditions (the foaming temperature is 800 °C and foaming time is 40 min), the formula for boron mud/broken glass: Borax: Sodium nitrate: Calcium carbonate is 35/50: 5:7:3, the bulk density is 247 kg/m3, the open porosity is 70%, the water absorption rate is 202.3%, the pH value of soak solution keeps at about 6.5 with the increase of immersion time. All of these will meet the application requirement of soilless cultivation.