Valorisation of Industrial Soda-Lime Glass Waste and Its Effect on the Rheological Behavior, Physical-Mechanical and Structural Properties of Sanitary Ceramic Vitreous Bodies

In this study, the effect of substitution of feldspar by soda-lime glass waste (SLGW), on rheological behavior, thermal, physical-mechanical and structural properties of sanitary-ware vitreous china (VC) bodies, has been evaluated. The findings show a positive effect on the rheological behavior of the slip, to viscosity, thixotropy, density and casting process. Indeed, during the firing stage at 1230°C, the use of 20 wt. % of SLGW in the composition of VC bodies, improved Bulk density (2 to 2.52 g/cm3), reduced water absorption (0.35 to 0.02%), and increased flexural strength (33 to 51 MPa). The fired samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction, SEM and FTIR analysis; results indicate that Mullite and Quartz are the major phases, with a little presence of anorthite phase formed by SLGW additions. From TGA/DTG analysis, it was found that the use of SLGW (15 wt. %) reduces mass loss of VC bodies (8.83 to 8.53%). These positive results open new horizons for using this waste, as a sound environmental, technological and economic solution.