ALTERNATIVE USES OF WASTE GLASS AGGREGATES

Abstract

Epoxy binders are used in countless applications to manufacture composite materials and some of these applications used waste glass as the aggregate. However, a literature search revealed that there is no test data to substantiate whether the glass-epoxy composite material is able substitute annealed glass or tempered glass for use in buildings in areas where impact breakage is likely. This experimental study aims to explore the replacement of annealed glass or tempered glass with composite material made from waste tempered glass aggregates and polycarbonate resin if the experiment proved to be successful. Four types of test specimens were investigated; those were annealed glass, tempered glass, composite material and polycarbonate resin material. The impact test (SS 341: 2001) was used to assess the impact resistance of the test specimens. Based upon the results of the impact test, with no cost consideration, it was found that the composite material can be used to substitute annealed glass in buildings in areas where impact breakage is likely, for example in bathrooms and in door panels. It was also found that the composite material is incapable of replacing tempered glass as a glazing material for façades or as the infill panel for railing and balustrade systems except to replace tempered glass for used in buildings in areas where moderate impact resistance is required, such as office partitions.