Investigation of fluorescent lamp glass waste as a fluxing agent in porcelain bodies

Abstract

In this research the effect of fluorescent lamp glass waste (FLGW) as a fluxing agent for preparing porcelain bodies has been investigated. Three different standard mixtures of porcelain bodies were prepared which composed of (kaolin, flint and potash feldspar). The FLGW is added to the porcelain samples at different ratios of (0, 5 and 10) wt.% as a partial replacement of potash feldspar. The samples were prepared using semi-dry process and then sintered at different temperatures ranged of (925–1250)°C. Sintering behavior, physical and mechanical properties of the prepared porcelain bodies were measured. The results showed the possibility of using the FLGW as a fluxing agent for the production of porcelain bodies. Increasing of sintering temperature leads to enhance the physical and mechanical properties of porcelain bodies. Addition of FLGW as a partial replacement of potash feldspar in the porcelain composition batch has beneficial effect on lowering the sintering temperature of porcelain bodies, consequently of accelerating the densification rates. The physical and mechanical properties of porcelain bodies reduced when added of high amount of FLGW up to 10 wt%. This is related to the composition of FLGW that contents of different materials with the presence of impurities in considerable amounts.