Fabrication of foam glass from iron tailings

Foam glass was prepared which using iron tailings and waste glass with SiC powders as foaming agent. The influence of the foam temperature on the bulk density, porosity, water absorption and compressive strength was studied. The results show that foam glass with higher iron tailings content of 24.5wt% could be prepared at about 830°C for 30min. Some of the reactions inside the iron tailings are responsible for the foaming mechanisms. When the foam temperature was 830°C, the bulk density and flexural strength reached a minimum value of 0.224g/cm3 and 0.53MPa. •Foam glass with a higher iron tailings content of 24.5wt% was prepared.•The higher content of iron tailings mainly due to the higher content of K2O and hematite.•The minimum value of bulk density and flexural strength were 0.224g/cm3 and 0.53MPa.