The Influence of Heat Treatment Temperature on the Process of Obtaining Material From Recycled and Crushed Glass, Used in Various Applications

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the influence of the treatment temperature on the mechanical properties of recycled and crushed glass (RCG) and to develop new materials in the civil field (interiors, art objects, constructions, etc.). Crushed glass (RCG) was thermally treated through a crystallization process in stages (T1, T2, T3, etc.). This method involves gradual heating in stages: the first stage at a constant temperature (T1) between 700 and 870°C; the second stage holding at constant and varied temperatures (T2) of 800, 850, 870, and 900°C for one hour or two hours; and the third stage, controlled cooling (T3) for 2 hours up to 500°C. Due to the thermal treatment in stages, it was found that the crystallization process can be controlled, helping to obtain a variety of materials that can be used in various applications. X-ray diffraction highlighted the structural changes, the identification of the component phases, and the variations of the network parameters. The results of this study support the use of glass (RCG) in a number of civil applications due to the control over the crystallization process by heat treatment.