Foam Glass Synthesized Exclusively from Wastes

Purpose: The objective of this research was to synthesize and characterize foams glass using glass waste as a glass matrix and marble waste as a foaming agent.   Theoretical framework: Foams glass are examples of very porous materials, the result of the insertion of a gaseous phase into a solid phase and are mostly used as thermal and acoustic insulators. Foam glass are obtained by adding a foaming agent to finely ground glass and heating it to temperatures above its softening point. Ornamental stones are basically subdivided into granites and marbles. Carbonate stone are generally included as marbles. The processing of these stones generates large amounts of fine waste. Brazil generates around 2.5 million tons of stone waste per year. Marble waste has great potential to be used as a foaming agent in the synthesis of foams glass.   Method/design/approach: The glass and marble wastes were characterized by chemical, mineralogical, granulometric, thermal and morphological analysis. Foams glass were synthesized with 3, 6, 9 and 12% by mass of marble waste in mass of glass waste, fired at temperatures of 750, 800, 850 and 900°C. The characterization of the foam glass was carried out through analysis of volumetric expansion, density, porosity, and the microstructure evaluated by microscopy.   Results and conclusion: The waste characterization results proved that they are capable of synthesizing foams glass for the desired purposes, glass waste as a glass matrix and marble waste as a foaming agent. The synthesized foam glass showed excellent volumetric expansion with density and porosity values ​​compatible with those of commercial foam glass.   Research implications: The use of wastes as raw material in the production of foams glass, thus aiming to reduce the consumption of natural resources, as well as reducing the environmental impact caused by wastes.   Originality/value: Synthesize foams glass exclusively with wastes. It is also one of the waste of ornamental stone, generated in the order of millions of tons.