Processing, structures and compressive properties of porous glass-ceramic composites prepared from secondary by-product materials

Glass cullet and blast furnace slag represent two particularly high volume by-products coming from the metallurgical and glass industries. The conversion of these wastes into porous glass-ceramics has been performed by the powder technique. The influence of temperature, SiC concentration and reaction time on the physical and mechanical property of porous glass-ceramics has been developed in three-dimensional representation. The load–displacement curves of porous glass-ceramics having densities between 0.95 and 1.15 g/cm3 were smoother, presenting no serrations at the initial stage, than the ones having densities less than 0.95 g/cm3. The deformation mode for these porous materials was mainly due to layer crushing process. The obtainment of this smooth shape was attributed to the formation of more glassy silica that leads to stronger bonding and pores sealing. The present technology does not require big investment and is suitable for the large scale manufacturing of a wide range of porous glass-ceramics for fire resistant, thermal and structural applications.