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. 2020 Nov 30;13(23):5458.
doi: 10.3390/ma13235458.

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

Petra Mácová  1 , Konstantinos Sotiriadis  1   2 , Zuzana Slížková  1 , Petr Šašek  3 , Michal Řehoř  4 , Jaroslav Závada  5   6
Affiliations

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

Petra Mácová et al. Materials (Basel). .

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.

Keywords: alkali-activated materials; composite materials; foam glass; metakaolin; thermal insulation; waste.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Cumulative particle-size distribution curves of the raw materials (MK and WFG).
Figure 2
Figure 2
XRPD patterns of WFG, MK and of the produced alkali-activated materials (MK100, MK90WFG10, MK70WFG30 and MK50WFG50). The main peaks are indicated as follows: ▪—quartz; ●—kaolinite; □—muscovite; ◊—anatase.
Figure 3
Figure 3
FTIR spectra of WFG, MK and of the produced alkali-activated materials (MK100, MK90WFG10, MK70WFG30 and MK50WFG50). The wavenumbers of the main bands are indicated. The intensity of the spectra in the range 4000–2700 cm−1 was manipulated for illustrative purposes.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Appearance of the 28-day cured specimens.
Figure 5
Figure 5
SEM micrographs of the raw materials (WFG and MK).
Figure 6
Figure 6
SEM micrographs of the produced alkali-activated materials (MK100, MK90WFG10, MK70WFG30 and MK50WFG50) at 1500× magnification (600× magnification images given as insets; WFG particles in the matrices are indicated).
Figure 7
Figure 7
Density and porosity (a), thermal conductivity coefficient (b), pore─size distribution (c) and mechanical strength (d) of the produced alkali-activated materials versus the % amount of WFG used.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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