Synthesis and properties of alkali activated borosilicate inorganic polymers based on waste glass

Alkali activated borosilicate inorganic polymers (AABSIP) can be obtained by the alkali activation of waste glass powder with a NaOH solution in which anhydrous borax was previously dissolved. AABSIPs have the ability to swell during the thermal treatment increasing their volume and apparent porosity. The temperature at which these materials swell is smaller as compared with the one assessed for the inorganic polymers obtained by the alkaline activation with NaOH solution of waste glass powder. The partial substitution of glass powder with fly ash (10%) do not substantially modifies the AABSIP behavior at high temperatures. The presence of fly ash improves the stability in humid environment (moisture) of AABSIP. The intumescent behavior (i.e. swelling as a result of heat/fire exposure) is less affected for the AABSIP paste with fly ash when it's curing take place in humid medium (moisture) as compared to the composition without fly ash. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.