Materials such as concrete glass. What is glass concrete? Pros and cons

Glass concrete was developed about half a century ago and is currently a real competitor to reinforced concrete. Glass added to the concrete mass can significantly improve performance, incl. tensile and bending strength, which eliminates heavy structures. Such reinforcement expands the possibilities of using concrete in adverse conditions.

Production technology

Glass concrete is a rather extensive group of building materials in the form of concrete with glass or fiberglass fibers. Depending on the structure of the glass component and the method of its introduction, there are main varieties of this material.

Glass reinforced concrete or composite concrete. In fact, it is reinforced concrete, in which the steel reinforcement is replaced by fiberglass.
Waterproof concrete with a silicate additive in the form liquid glass.
Glass fiber reinforced concrete, containing alkali-resistant glass fiber as a filler.
Fiberglass concrete or Litracon, characterized by relative transparency (translucent) due to the introduction of glass optical fibers.
A mixture filled with glass chips (crush).
Acid-resistant concrete, in which the glass component added to the mortar acts as binder.

In all of these varieties, concrete in one form or another contains glass. As a result, the structure of the material and its most important characteristics change. Glass concrete is sold in ready-made and can be made by hand.

Pros and cons

Glass concrete has a number of notable advantages over traditional concrete.

Weight loss. With the introduction of glass filler, the content of cement and sand decreases, and since. fiberglass is lighter than these ingredients, the weight is reduced source material. Particularly noticeable this advantage in a reinforced version, designed to replace reinforced concrete. Fiberglass reinforcement is much lighter than steel reinforcement.
Increasing strength. Glass additives significantly increase tensile strength (2.5 - 3 times), compression and bending. The impact strength of concrete increases by 14-16 times.
Thickness reduction when replacing concrete products. Reinforcing glass fibers have a smaller diameter compared to steel reinforcement with the same strength, which makes it possible to reduce the thickness of the product without compromising strength characteristics.
Moisture and water resistance. Any glass fillers (especially liquid glass) increase the water resistance of concrete.
Improvement thermal insulation characteristics.
Expanding the scope of the material. Glass filling makes it a universal building material with increased strength, waterproofing and heat-insulating characteristics.

Glass concrete has practically no significant drawbacks. Of course, the need to prepare the glass ingredient complicates the solution preparation technology, but the resulting benefits compensate for this disadvantage. In the process of preparing the material, one has to deal with glass dust, which requires careful protection of the human respiratory system. There is an accelerated solidification of glass concrete during the application process, which requires the rapid use of the solution.

Technological features

Different types of glass concrete have their own production nuances.

Waterproof. For the manufacture, liquid glass is used, i.e. sodium silicate. First, a regular concrete solution is prepared. Then, liquid glass is added to it at the rate of 100 ml per 1 liter of solution (excluding water). It is important to remember that an increase in the amount of sodium silicate leads to an increase in the fragility of the material and the rapid solidification of the solution.
Production of fiberglass concrete. Composition - cement, sand and fiberglass in equal proportions. It is important to distribute the fiber evenly throughout the volume, and the ingredients are mixed in a dry state. When applying the solution, careful vibration compaction is mandatory.
Filling with cullet. Broken glass replaces crushed stone (from 25 to 100 percent), as well as partially sand. The production of concrete includes several stages. First, the glass waste (scrap) is crushed. Then, with the help of a screen, the raw material is sifted and divided into fractions. Fragments larger than 4 mm are designed to replace crushed stone (filler). Smaller particles will work in place of sand. This circumstance is taken into account when mixing the solution.
The use of glass as a binder. In this case, finely divided glass is used, but even it will not bind the cement without additional processing. Glass performs this function when soda ash is introduced. During the reaction, it dissolves with the formation of a silicate gel, and already it holds the composition together. This results in a concrete with increased resistance to acids.

Concrete with optical properties is difficult to make on its own due to the increased fragility of optical fibers. Usually ready-made concrete, translucent slabs and panels are used.

Applications

Glass concrete is quite widely used abroad in construction various objects. In Russia, while the material is used less frequently due to production problems, but its popularity is constantly growing. The following main areas of use of this material can be distinguished:

Building cladding. Glass concrete can be used in the form of finished panels or applied as decorative or protective plaster. Material with the addition of liquid glass is widely used in the construction of private pools and other artificial reservoirs.
Construction of walls and ceilings. The walls are made by pouring into the formwork or from blocks (similar to cinder blocks). In the manufacture of floor slabs, the material replaces similar products made of reinforced concrete.
Decorative design of facades. Building materials with optical properties are especially valued.
Production of paving and curb slabs.
landscape design. Small architectural structures are made of glass concrete. In particular, the construction of arches, fountains, garden statues, lighting poles is popular.
Fences and lattices. The high strength of the material provides reliable supports for fences, as well as molding decorative grilles and hedges.

Quite actively glass concrete is also used in mass construction, incl. industrial facilities. Paving slabs has high wear resistance, which makes it possible to use in parks.

The material is used even in the construction of bridges. It can be attributed to modern, high-strength building materials. It is actively used instead of reinforced concrete products in the repair and construction of structures. various types. Some materials can be prepared by hand, which reduces the cost of construction and expands the possibilities of application.

In the construction industry, concrete mixes are used, which, after hardening, have increased strength. To perform special tasks, various additives are added to concrete that change its characteristics. One of the common components is liquid glass for concrete. It shortens the curing time concrete mix, increases the resistance of the monolith to moisture, acids, elevated temperatures. It is important to properly mix the concrete and glass to ensure that the required material characteristics are achieved. Let's take a closer look at this supplement.

Why add liquid glass to concrete

Getting to know the material

Many have heard that the construction industry uses an additive called liquid glass. However, not everyone has an idea of what it is. The ingredient in question is potassium and sodium silicates dissolved in water, obtained from silica. Almost everyone has encountered an aqueous solution of silicates, using silicate glue for domestic purposes. The material is visually perceived as a viscous liquid with a whitish-yellow hue. Let us dwell on the manufacturing technology, according to which the material is classified by type.

General classification

Modern technology allows you to get the supplement various methods. The component can be produced by high-temperature processing of silicon raw materials together with an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide. The equipment makes it possible to obtain an ingredient with desired properties by sintering soda with quartz particles. You can also use the method of mixing silicon dioxide with an alkali solution.

Depending on the manufacturing characteristics, two types of ingredients are obtained:

sodium mixture, characterized by increased adhesion, adhesive properties, resistance to atmospheric factors;
potassium composition, characterized by accelerated drying, as well as good resistance to elevated temperatures.

The performance characteristics of both types of materials are identical, but the sodium composition has a lower price.

Additive in concrete - sodium liquid glass

Why add liquid glass to concrete

The use of a silicate solution introduced into the concrete mixture at the stage of preparation, as well as external processing concrete surface changes the properties of concrete.

After liquid glass is introduced, concrete acquires additional characteristics:

resistance to moisture penetration. Due to the increased water resistance, the monolith modified with a special additive is in demand for foundations, underground structures;
high temperature resistance. This allows the use of a modified cement composition for the manufacture of fireplaces and the construction of stoves, the masonry of which is exposed to open fire;
the ability to freeze in a limited time. With an increased concentration of sodium silicate in the working solution, the concrete mixture hardens at an accelerated rate, which is important for sealing various cavities;
resistance to acids. The introduction of a silicate solution into the concrete composition increases the resistance to aggressive environments, which is important for the use of concrete in the chemical industry.

To ensure the required characteristics, mixing concrete with liquid glass, the proportions must be strictly observed.

Liquid glass in concrete - pros and cons

Just like all building materials, the additive has its advantages and disadvantages.

What gives liquid glass when added to concrete

Additive Benefits:

low price of building materials;
low additive consumption;
resistance to atmospheric factors;
durability protective film;
ease of use when injected into concrete and surface application;
good adhesion to mineral substrates.

In addition, the silicate component has:

increased hydrophobic properties. As a result of creating a waterproof layer, moisture absorption is difficult;
high antiseptic properties. The additive prevents the development of bacteria, hinders the growth of microorganisms;
antistatic properties. The characteristics of the silicate additive prevent the accumulation of static electricity;
ability to seal cracks on the surface. This ensures that the array is waterproof;
resistance to open flame, acids, high temperature. The processed material retains its structure and properties.

Along with the advantages, there are weaknesses:

accelerated crystallization of the modified composition during the implementation of measures for waterproofing foundations;
the impossibility of using for the treatment of surfaces of buildings made of bricks;
insufficiently high strength properties of the protective film, which is destroyed by mechanical action.

Among the insulating materials, liquid glass for concrete stands out.

Despite the disadvantages, the additive is widely used professional builders, private developers, home craftsmen to solve an extended range of tasks.

The use of liquid glass in concrete - areas of use

Workers in the construction industry, the repair industry actively use silicate solutions based on sodium and potassium. They increase the performance of the monolith, which allows it to be used for various purposes.

Applications of the silicate modifier:

sealing cracks and cavities through which moisture penetrates;
exterior decoration of the walls of the building to increase their moisture resistance;
waterproofing masonry basements;
moisture protection basements, hydrotechnical facilities;
cooking special formulations for priming concrete surfaces;
construction of foundations for the installation of heating equipment;
production on industrial enterprises special types concrete;
construction of foundations for various objects;
protection of the walls of residential and utility rooms from the development of mold, fungal colonies;
processing of joints and internal surfaces of well rings.

Liquid glass is sold in plastic cans

According to its characteristics, the component has practically no analogues when performing work related to waterproofing and impregnation. The properties of the silicate material provide reliable protection concrete structures from moisture, high temperature, aggressive environment.

How much liquid glass to add to concrete - proven recipes

Consider how much silicate component should be poured into the concrete mixture to perform various tasks.

For the preparation of modified cement mortars and concrete, use the following recommendations:

masonry mixture for the construction of fireplaces, stoves is prepared from Portland cement and fine sand, observing a ratio of one to three. 18–20% of the glass of the total volume of the mixed components should be poured into the sand-cement mixture, after which water should be added. It remains to mix everything thoroughly until smooth, and the finished solution can be used;
for the preparation of a concrete base with moisture-resistant properties, refractory characteristics and intended for domestic use, the concentration of the additive should not exceed one tenth of the total mass. Such a composition can also be used for waterproofing home pools;
for waterproofing the joints of well rings and processing the inner surface, a composition is prepared consisting of Portland cement, glass, and sifted sand. It is very important to keep the proportion, adding the ingredients in equal proportions. With the gradual addition of water, it is necessary to achieve a creamy consistency.

Subject to the proportions, the concrete solution acquires the required properties.

Liquid glass as an additive for concrete

Correctly fill liquid glass - the additive in concrete does not tolerate mistakes

There are situations when the introduction of glass does not bring the expected result. This is due to the lack of practical experience, non-observance of proportions.

it is forbidden to introduce a silicate additive into the prepared concrete solution. You must first mix the ingredients, then dilute the glass with water. Then it is necessary to gradually pour the solution, mixing thoroughly;
control the percentage of added components, do not exceed the proportions tested in practice. This ensures that the required performance properties of concrete are obtained.

Remember that an increased concentration of silicate filler, as well as a reduced one, negatively affects the properties of concrete.

We introduce liquid glass into concrete - rules of work

To ensure the desired effect from the use of the additive, it is necessary to study the rules for working with a silicate additive, as well as prepare the necessary tools.

Waterproofing with liquid glass

For surface treatment of a concrete mass, you will need:

a wide roller that allows you to speed up the application of a protective composition;
a brush for treating small areas and corner areas with a silicate mixture;
metal brush for preparing the treated surface;
an airbrush that allows you to apply the material when performing work on an industrial scale;
a container for mixing ingredients and preparing special mortars;
protective gloves that protect the skin from contact with the silicate component.

General rules of work provide:

Thorough cleaning of the treated surface from contamination of organic and inorganic origin.
Sealing deep cracks and leveling the surface using concrete putty.
Layer-by-layer application of the material using a wide roller, brush or industrial spray gun.

When applying a coating in two layers, it penetrates deep into the array by 1.5–2 mm. The modifying composition does not contain harmful components, however, the skin should be washed with water if a silicate solution gets on its surface. After completion of work, it is necessary to inspect and clean the tool from the remnants of the silicate mixture.

It is possible to introduce the additive into the concrete solution at the preparation stage. To do this, it is necessary to gradually add liquid glass for concrete to the concrete mixer or container. The instructions for use must be followed to ensure the required characteristics of the concrete.

How to cover a concrete floor with liquid glass

To prepare a modified concrete composition, you will need the following tools:

a special nozzle for a drill that increases the efficiency of mixing components;
a container for mixing components using a nozzle or a small-sized concrete mixer;
facilities personal protection, protecting the skin and mucous membranes from the ingress of additives.

The algorithm for preparing the modified concrete composition includes the following operations:

Dosing of ingredients in the required ratios.
Addendum aqueous solution special additives in the concrete mixture.
Preparation of concrete mixture according to the recipe.
Thorough mixing of the components until a homogeneous consistency.

When pouring liquid glass into concrete on your own, the proportions must be strictly observed. Exceeding the amount specified in the recipe will cause accelerated drying concrete with cracks. Adding a reduced volume to liquid glass concrete will not provide the required performance characteristics.

Conclusion

To ensure the required performance characteristics of concrete, observe the proportions for concrete when pouring liquid glass. Guided by the recommendations of professionals, following a proven recipe, it is possible to ensure the necessary working properties of the monolith. Due to the cheapness of the silicate additive, the cost of the concrete solution increases extremely slightly, and performance allow the use of modified concrete for a wide range of construction tasks. Professional advice will help you avoid mistakes.

The topic of waste disposal is very relevant today, and I want to pay attention to glass containers. Its share in urban dumps, as well as in spontaneous dumps in forests, is very significant. This is due to the elementary lack of awareness of the population about the benefits of adding broken glass to concrete solutions. It has been scientifically proven that the addition of broken glass significantly increases the strength of concrete.

So, it took us at least a thousand bottles to concrete the roof of the garage. Picked them up right on the street. If summer residents knew about the benefits of broken glass, then the percentage of bottles in trash cans would be significantly reduced.

Adding broken glass creates reliable waterproofing and prolongs the life of concrete. But you need to take precautions when breaking bottles. You need to wear goggles and hit in a container, in a bucket for example. It is most convenient to grind glass between two bricks.

Please pay attention to this issue. You just need to inform the population, talk to them, explain the inadmissibility of throwing away, for example, batteries with food waste, and so on. It's all about good organization.

Tatiana Lanskaya

Northern summer resident:I have never heard of a roof being concreted in this way, but everything related to the foundation, steps, garden homemade tiles etc. quite fair. So far, here is some prefabricated everyday experience:

1. "From personal experience I know that any glass containers and even broken glass can be used in the manufacture of floors on the ground. For this, a special hole is dug with a depth of not more than 20 centimeters. Then it is covered with any glass. In this case, all broken glass acts as a filler. The floor itself is laid on top of the glass. Do not forget that in this case, glass containers can become the most reliable protection from various living creatures, for example from moles. Empty bottles can replace even the highest quality insulation. Earlier during construction country houses used only empty bottles. They were laid in continuous layers under the floor. They were also used when laying out a concrete blind area.

2. "The only, somewhat acceptable and in a safe way use of broken glass in construction, I would call its use in the drainage layer under the foundations. That is, you can pour pre-crushed glass together with sand and gravel into a pillow for pouring the foundation. Why is it undesirable to use it as a filler in concrete solutions(instead of gravel)? Because glass, unlike crushed stone, is smooth, therefore, its adhesion to cement-sand mixture will be insufficient. Thus, the resulting concrete will be weaker than that made on the basis of pure crushed stone.

3. "It is possible to dispose of cullet, using for laying the foundation, using binders, in the form of a solution with the addition of 1 part of M400 cement, 2 portions of sand and one part of cullet. The bottles must be carefully broken so that their fragments, such as the neck, do not remain intact , which may not be filled with mortar, so reliable foundation strength will not be achieved. And from whole bottles, foaming each neck, you can build a fence. So, you should not throw away such an economical and environmentally friendly building material. "

4. "We also found a lot of glass containers in our dacha. When they put up a bathhouse, a neighbor advised to fill the underground under the bathhouse with empty glass bottles, having previously dug a hole in the form of a cone. Here on the slopes of this cone and lay out the bottles with their necks down, simply drowning them in the ground. What gives such a device: firstly, water flows down and does not accumulate under the floor, as a result, the wooden floor is less prone to rotting, and secondly, the glass heats up when we heat the bathhouse and retains heat for a long time - the floors in the bathhouse become warmer" .

5. "Indeed, glass containers are often used in construction if there is one. If you have the desire and enough time and, most importantly, patience, then it can be mixed with screenings and poured into concrete. Most importantly, glass containers must first be crushed very well. Not crushed option for use in concrete is not very a good option. For grinding, as an option, you can use a concrete mixer necessarily filled with water, so that glass fragments do not fly out of it when turning.

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Glass to order is an indispensable material in the production of tableware, building materials, furniture and interior items. However, glass has one big drawback - it is very fragile and crumbles easily. Large and small fragments have sharp edges that are easy to cut. Once inside the human body, glass fragments can cause bleeding, and glass dust that settles in the lungs remains there forever and leads to serious illnesses. Due to the great danger to human health, the disposal of glass fragments has certain difficulties.

Glass practically does not decompose in natural conditions, since the main component in its manufacture is sand.

What can be done with broken glass, and how can it be properly disposed of or recycled without causing damage to the environment?

If the volumes of broken glass are small and you have creative potential, you can use fragments to decorate the interior. Shards of flat glass are suitable for making stained glass windows. For their coloring, you can use stained glass paints or colored adhesive film. From small fragments you can make a mosaic and decorate a vase or flower pot. At the same time, one must not forget about safety precautions when working with glass.

The use of broken glass to decorate the garden in the form of mosaic borders is not recommended, as the glass may eventually crumble from the bonding base and fall into the ground. Some also advise burying glass shards around the perimeter. garden plot or use as a filler when building the foundation of a house, as it is effective way fighting moles and rats. But these ways of using broken glass also carry a serious potential threat to humans.

The best way to use broken glass in construction is to crush it and add it to cement mortar. Glass fragments for grinding can be loaded into a concrete mixer by adding water, sand and gravel. This method of processing cullet makes it possible to produce small glass chips with rounded edges, which will serve as excellent thermal insulation during the construction of the foundation, and also increase the strength of concrete. Processed glass chips can be an alternative to sand and gravel.

The same method of processing broken glass in a concrete mixer is also suitable for obtaining the so-called sea glass. In its natural form, this glass is found on sea coasts. It has good decorative properties and smooth edges on the entire surface. This allows the wide use of "sea glass" for the manufacture of jewelry and mosaics of any type.

If the volumes of cullet are large (usually in construction and in the production of window structures), then it is best to hand over glass fragments to cullet dealers. Firms that buy up broken glass then resell it to glass factories.

Custom glass can be 100% recycled, saving Natural resources. Recycled glass can replace up to 95% of raw materials in the glass industry. Each ton of recycled glass allows you to save a little less than a ton of natural materials used in its manufacture. Energy costs in the production of raw glass are reduced by 2–3% for every 10% cullet in the material's recipe. At the same time, recycled glass is a much cheaper raw material than natural components. Thus, glass recycling is a very environmentally friendly process.

Another option for using broken glass in large volumes is the manufacture glass tiles. Glass shards are crushed in a crusher, mixed with dyes and polyester resin, then poured into special shapes various sizes and textures. When pouring glass, a vacuum is created to eliminate air bubbles in the finished tile. Received facing tiles can be used for finishing kitchens, bathrooms and even exterior facades of houses. This technology for the manufacture of glass tiles - good idea for small and medium-sized businesses, since the cost of raw materials and equipment is low, and the cost of its imported counterparts is quite high.

If apply creative potential each person, then broken glass is an indispensable material in all kinds of products folk art, ranging from building materials, where broken glass can be added to concrete for greater strength, they can also be added to all kinds of panels, cinder concrete, and can also be used in decorative design facades, with all kinds of decorative and applied products, because broken glass powder in combination with glue or various varnishes with the addition of color can be a good stained glass material, and if you also heat it up, you get all kinds of lamps interspersed with glass and plastic .

Also, broken glass to order can be used to develop the psychophysiological capabilities of a person, for example, small broken glass can be consumed to train walking barefoot. And you can also use them in the beds so that the grass does not grow, falling asleep the territory.

Conclusion: broken glass is by and large sand, from which this glass is made, so where sand is used, broken glass can also be used.

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) is one of the modern universal building materials. For designers and architects, glass concrete provides almost unlimited creative possibilities.

Glass concrete has proven to be an excellent medium that has made a great contribution to the aesthetics, technology and economics of the construction industry. Essentially, glass concrete is the collective name for a group of materials that can be used to create various designs. Glass concrete has been used in world construction practice since 1969 and has been successfully used all over the world since then. Over the past years, it has significantly expanded its scope and improved markedly. Glass concrete structures are widely used in Japan, South-East Asia, countries of the Arab East, USA, Europe. In Russia, the scale of its production and use is much smaller than in other countries. The reason for the creation of this material was the need to improve conventional concrete.

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Glass concrete classification

Glass-reinforced concrete: lightweight, flexible (compared to metal), with low thermal conductivity.
Concrete with the addition of liquid glass: hardens quickly, has good protection from moisture.
Fiberglass reinforced concrete (glass fiber reinforced concrete): corrosion resistant, frost resistant.
Fiberglass concrete (translucent, with optical fiber): expensive, used in decorative structures.
Glass-filled concrete with cullet: reduces the cost of construction and the weight of the structure.
Glass concrete with glass as a binder: acid-resistant.

Application area

Glass concrete is widely applicable and, due to its properties, is in great demand for the production of finishing panels, gratings, fences, walls, partitions, ceilings, decor, complex architectural or transparent roofs, pipes, noise barriers, cornices, tiles, cladding and many other products. Having mastered the technology of making glass concrete with your own hands, you can significantly save on construction and create a unique design for your home.