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

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