The Impact of Glass Components on the Quality and Strength of Silicate Autoclaved Materials

Abstract

Compressive strength is the starting point, which is important in the process of researching new or modified building materials. The article contains the characteristics of traditional material (sand-SiO2, lime-CaO, H2O-water) and the results of research on modifications of composite silicate materials and the same products with using glass fiber. The paper contains information on modification of this kind of materials using glass fiber, because it is a lightweight and durable component made of boroglinosilicate glass containing less than 1% alkali. This type of fibers are characterized by a good degree of gluing the bundle, and so-called “strand integrity”. Glass fiber (WS) cut strips are mainly intended for reinforcing thermoplastics and this fiber can have a good application in in silicate composite materials, which arise under hydrothermal conditions (around 200°C). This paper also presents the results of the conducted compression tests, which were focused on: microstructure, compressive strength, water absorption, and bulk density. The Scanning Electron Microscope with spectrum EDS analysis helped to define the microstructural changes of modified materials. The interpretation of the materials structure revealed the existence of diversified phases i.e. tobermorite and C-S-H phase. CaO-SiO2-H2O system is the object of intensive research due to its meaning in chemistry and technologies of mineral binding materials. The dimensions and precision of the modified material were also analyzed. Silicate products are known for their almost perfect proportions and exact dimensions (+/- 1mm.) Obtained during production. Glass due to its amorphousness in hydrothermal conditions affects the behaviour of the mass in the mould during the autoclaving of the modified material, and glass fibers spread unevenly in the mass, and this factor should be taken into account especially.