Sintering: an alternative to fusion for the recycling of silicate wastes?

Sintering is shown to be a very convenient alternative way for recycling si licate residues. Glass sintering can be carried out at temperatures in the range of 600-900 degreesC to fabricate for example panels, floor and wall t iles, and other building and specialised materials, leading. thus. to consi derable savings of energy costs. Moreover. by powder technology and sinteri ng technique a variety of glass matrix composite and glass-ceramic material s with optimised microstructures and improved mechanical and physical prope rties can be fabricated, expanding in this way the application potential of waste-containing products. Two examples are presented, based on the utilis ation of different silicate residues: i) glass cullet and coal power statio n fly ashes and ii) fly ash from municipal waste incinerators.