Al2O3-platelet reinforced glass matrix composites from a mixture of wastes

Wastes consisting of mining residues from feldspar excavation, lime from fume abatement systems of the glass industry and panel glass from dismantled cathode ray tubes have been converted into an opaque fluorine-containing glass, featuring the precipitation of CaF2 crystals just upon cooling. Fine glass powders were added with Al2O3 platelets (from 5% to 15% by vol.) and viscous flow pressureless sintered at 800°C for 1h, leading to dense glass matrix composites. Due the overall mechanical properties, approaching those available for glass-ceramics, coupled with a simple and economical manufacturing procedure, the obtained products could find applications in the building industry and constitute a promising way for the absorption of the investigated wastes.