Recycling glass wool as a fluxing agent in the production of clay- and waste-based ceramics

Concerns about the management of glass wool waste, approximately 800,000 tons which are generated annually in Europe, increasing. To test feasibility incorporating this waste into ceramic materials, study examined reuse as a fluxing agent production clay- and waste-based building ceramics. Commercial kaolin clay two industrial residues, namely quartz-feldspar sand (QFS) copper slag (CS), were selected precursors. Six compositions prepared, three samples containing counterparts without wool, then sintered at 750, 850, 950 °C. The materials prepared ceramics characterized by employing x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), differential calorimetry (DSC), water absorption, apparent density, compressive flexural strength tests. Interestingly, results indicated that 10 wt% QFS, CS, mixtures created better physical, mechanical, microstructural properties. This was ascribed to melting reactions observed from 700 QFS °C achieved values high 117 MPa absorption percentages low 2%. However, effect less significant CS- kaolin-based ceramics, likely due differences their chemical composition, mineralogy, particle-size distribution. emphasize potential other streams could contribute improving line social sustainability objectives.