First Test and Characterizations on Urban Glass Waste with Waste-Derived Carbon Fiber Treated to Realize Foam Glass for Possible Construction Applications

Urban glass waste is a significant by-product of residential areas, while scrap carbon fiber is a prevalent industrial by-product. This study explores an innovative approach to valorize these materials by producing foam glass (FG) for versatile applications, particularly in construction. A key chall...

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Main Authors: Zakim Hussain, Seyed Mostafa Nouri, Matteo Sambucci, Marco Valente
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Ceramics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2571-6131/8/2/73
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author Zakim Hussain
Seyed Mostafa Nouri
Matteo Sambucci
Marco Valente
author_facet Zakim Hussain
Seyed Mostafa Nouri
Matteo Sambucci
Marco Valente
author_sort Zakim Hussain
collection DOAJ
description Urban glass waste is a significant by-product of residential areas, while scrap carbon fiber is a prevalent industrial by-product. This study explores an innovative approach to valorize these materials by producing foam glass (FG) for versatile applications, particularly in construction. A key challenge in FG production is enhancing its properties to meet increasingly stringent application-specific standards. The properties of FG are intrinsically linked to its porous structure, which depends on factors such as the foaming process. The oxidation of carbon fibers at high temperatures can induce a foaming effect, creating a porous matrix in the glass. This research investigates the effect of powdered recycled carbon fiber (PRCF)—an alternative method for recovering waste carbon fiber as a foaming agent for FG. PRCF was added at concentrations of 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% by mass relative to powdered waste glass. Increasing PRCF content enhanced foaming and improved porosity, with total porosity rising from 47.18% at 0.5% PRCF to 65.54% at 1.5% PRCF, accompanied by a 50% reduction in compressive strength and a 68% decrease in thermal conductivity. The results demonstrate the feasibility of large-scale FG production with enhanced properties, achieved without substantial additional investment and by recovering two waste materials. This process supports sustainable development by promoting waste valorization and advancing circular economy principles.
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institution Kabale University
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publishDate 2025-06-01
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series Ceramics
spelling doaj-art-9d38fbc92e5f4e358a099b7be0536e4e2025-08-20T03:27:26ZengMDPI AGCeramics2571-61312025-06-01827310.3390/ceramics8020073First Test and Characterizations on Urban Glass Waste with Waste-Derived Carbon Fiber Treated to Realize Foam Glass for Possible Construction ApplicationsZakim Hussain0Seyed Mostafa Nouri1Matteo Sambucci2Marco Valente3Department of Chemical Engineering, Materials, Environment, Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Materials, Environment, Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Materials, Environment, Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Materials, Environment, Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Rome, ItalyUrban glass waste is a significant by-product of residential areas, while scrap carbon fiber is a prevalent industrial by-product. This study explores an innovative approach to valorize these materials by producing foam glass (FG) for versatile applications, particularly in construction. A key challenge in FG production is enhancing its properties to meet increasingly stringent application-specific standards. The properties of FG are intrinsically linked to its porous structure, which depends on factors such as the foaming process. The oxidation of carbon fibers at high temperatures can induce a foaming effect, creating a porous matrix in the glass. This research investigates the effect of powdered recycled carbon fiber (PRCF)—an alternative method for recovering waste carbon fiber as a foaming agent for FG. PRCF was added at concentrations of 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% by mass relative to powdered waste glass. Increasing PRCF content enhanced foaming and improved porosity, with total porosity rising from 47.18% at 0.5% PRCF to 65.54% at 1.5% PRCF, accompanied by a 50% reduction in compressive strength and a 68% decrease in thermal conductivity. The results demonstrate the feasibility of large-scale FG production with enhanced properties, achieved without substantial additional investment and by recovering two waste materials. This process supports sustainable development by promoting waste valorization and advancing circular economy principles.https://www.mdpi.com/2571-6131/8/2/73urban glassrecycled carbon fiberfoam glasswaste valorization
spellingShingle Zakim Hussain
Seyed Mostafa Nouri
Matteo Sambucci
Marco Valente
First Test and Characterizations on Urban Glass Waste with Waste-Derived Carbon Fiber Treated to Realize Foam Glass for Possible Construction Applications
Ceramics
urban glass
recycled carbon fiber
foam glass
waste valorization
title First Test and Characterizations on Urban Glass Waste with Waste-Derived Carbon Fiber Treated to Realize Foam Glass for Possible Construction Applications
title_full First Test and Characterizations on Urban Glass Waste with Waste-Derived Carbon Fiber Treated to Realize Foam Glass for Possible Construction Applications
title_fullStr First Test and Characterizations on Urban Glass Waste with Waste-Derived Carbon Fiber Treated to Realize Foam Glass for Possible Construction Applications
title_full_unstemmed First Test and Characterizations on Urban Glass Waste with Waste-Derived Carbon Fiber Treated to Realize Foam Glass for Possible Construction Applications
title_short First Test and Characterizations on Urban Glass Waste with Waste-Derived Carbon Fiber Treated to Realize Foam Glass for Possible Construction Applications
title_sort first test and characterizations on urban glass waste with waste derived carbon fiber treated to realize foam glass for possible construction applications
topic urban glass
recycled carbon fiber
foam glass
waste valorization
url https://www.mdpi.com/2571-6131/8/2/73
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