Elsevier

Materials & Design

Volume 212, 15 December 2021, 110287
Materials & Design

Effect of organic resin in glass wool waste and curing temperature on the synthesis and properties of alkali-activated pastes

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2021.110287Get rights and content
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Highlights

  • The resin in glass wool waste could be gradually eliminated by thermal treatment from 200 to 550 °C.

  • The resin affected the milling efficiency, rheology, heat of reaction and strength development.

  • Curing at 40 °C was beneficial for strength development in comparison to 20 and 60 °C.

  • The 28-days compressive strength was less affected by the presence of the resin.

  • The incorporation of suitable co-binders would increase the materials‘ stability.

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of organic resin contained in glass wool on synthesis of alkali-activated binders. The study was performed on glass wool containing sugar or phenolic resin, comparing it with glass wool that did not contain resin, as a reference. The results showed that the organic resin could be qualitatively identified using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermo gravimetry-mass spectrometer (TG-MS), with gradual decomposition occurring between 200 °C and 550 °C. The presence of organic resin reduced the milling efficiency of glass wool, modified the rheology by increasing the liquid demand, and slowed the strength development at room temperature. However, interestingly, the effect of the resin on the strength of the paste was less obvious at an age of 28 days. Curing for 24 h at 40 °C was beneficial for one-day strength development, in comparison to 20 °C and 60 °C, independent of the presence of the resin. All the cured paste samples, with and without resin, achieved a compressive strength of more than 40 MPa at 28 days, satisfying the requirement for many structural applications. Nevertheless, water immersion affected the materials’ strength, suggesting their suitability for dry environments or the need for suitable co-binders to increase their durability and water resistance.

Keywords

Glass wool
Organic resin
Curing temperature
Alkali-activated materials
Mechanical properties
Building applications

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