Heat-insulating, fireproof and waterproof materials produced by recycling glass waste in microwave field

The paper presents experimental results obtained in the manufacture of glass foams from packaging bottle glass waste, using the microwave energy. The glass foam as insulating material for construction is an advantageous alternative to existing building materials (e. g. expanded polystyrene) due to its superior resistance to mechanical stress, fire and humidity. The results have shown that the manufacturing techniques of glass foams in microwave field lead to products with physical, mechanical and morphological characteristics similar to those of industrial products made by conventional methods (low apparent density and low thermal conductivity, acceptable mechanical strength, closed pores). The advantages of applying microwave energy are eliminating pollution as well as reducing the specific consumption of energy. The originality of research conducted in the Romanian company Daily Sourcing & Research consists in the use of microwaves as an unconventional source of energy, worldwide only conventional heating methods being currently applied.