Thermo-acoustic properties of cement-waste-glass mortars

Recovery of solid waste materials as ‘secondary raw materials’ is promising in the context of the waste minimisation and recycling policies applied worldwide. In this context, recycling of thermally treated glass from the sorting operations for municipal and industrial solid waste leads to the formation of a versatile granular material, recycled waste glass, for potential use in the building industry as inert material for masonry and plaster. After investigation, cement mortars containing recycled waste glass showed improved thermal properties in comparison with conventional (sand-containing) composites. Enhancement of the acoustic absorption properties was observed in the range of 500 Hz. The improved performance was essentially associated with the porosity and granulometry of the recycled waste glass used. Overall, mortars containing recycled waste glass appear very promising in terms of lightweight composites with improved thermal and acoustic properties.