Effects of Fe2O3 on the Properties of Glass Foams Prepared by Iron-Containing Solid Waste

Abstract

Increasing attention has been paid nowadays to glass foams that were prepared by recycling solid waste. Fe₂O₃, as a main compound in solid waste, plays an important role in glass-foam preparation process. This work investigates the influence of Fe₂O₃ existing in solid waste on the properties of glass foams. The results revealed that Fe₂O₃ in glass matrix would increase the viscosity of glass on one hand. On the other hand, appropriate content of Fe₂O₃ could increase the oxygen supply to carbon and delay the redox reaction, leading to a better compromise between the glass viscosity and the gas generating, so as to a lower density. Adding 1 wt % Fe₂O₃ as oxidants could further promote foaming to achieve a better property. Therefore, in glass-foam preparation with the solid waste containing Fe₂O₃, proper utilization of the Fe³⁺ ions in parent glass is beneficial to reduce cost, improve utilization ratio and obtain glass foams with better properties.