Method of making glass products, novel glass mix and novel glass product

• US 3,963,503 A
• Filed: 03/14/1975
• Issued: 06/15/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Original Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Inventors: Mackenzie, John D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Garvin, Patrick P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bell, Mark
• Application Number:
  US05/558,510
• Time in Patent Office: 459 Days
• Field of Search: 106/40 R, 106/40 V, 106/52, 106/41, 106/47 R
• US Class Current: 501/39
• CPC Class Codes: C03B 19/06 by sintering, e.g. by cold isostatic pressing of powders and subsequent sintering, by hot pressing of powders, by sintering slurries or dispersions not undergoing a liquid phase reaction
• CPC Class Codes: C03B 19/08 by foaming
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 1/002 Use of waste materials, e.g. slags
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 11/007 Foam glass, e.g. obtained by incorporating a blowing agent and heating
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 12/00 Powdered glass C03C8/02 takes precedence; Bead compositions

Abstract

An improved method of making glass products is provided which comprises mixing particulate used-container glass with a selected treating agent to form a unique glass mix. The used-container glass has a preselected approximate concentration range of foreign inclusions and an average reflectance of about 5% to about 95%. The mix is heated to a temperature and pressure above the sintering and softening point of the glass but below its melting point and within a range sufficient to activate the treating agent to either foam or fill the glass. In the latter case, increased pressure is applied to form the glass into a hard pressed product, such as a tile, appearance. In the former case, foamed glass of distinctive appearance is produced. The used-container glass includes a plurality of particles of various colors, and the pressed product may have oxide pigments embedded in the surfaces thereof. The treating agent can be dolomite or other suitable treating agent.

Claims

1. An improved heat treatable glass mix comprising:

used-container glass having the following approximate concentration of foreign inclusions mixed therewith;

space="preserve" listing-type="tabular">Inclusions % by wt. in glass ______________________________________ Fe 0.1 to 3 Sn 0.1 to 2 Al 0.1 to 2 Other metals 0.1 to 1 Cellulosics 0.1 to 1 Other organics 0.1 to 1 ______________________________________

said used-container glass having an average reflectance of between about 5% and about 95%; and

a carbonate foaming agent mixed therewith in a concentration of about 0.5 to about 10 percent by weight of the mix, said foaming agent being activatable upon heating said used-container glass to a temperature and pressure within a range sufficient to sinter and soften said glass but insufficient to melt said glass.

2. The improved mix of claim 1 wherein said foaming agent comprises dolomite.

3. An improved solid glass product comprising a unitary multi-colored mass of sintered, particulate used-container glass having a closed cellular foam structure and having the following approximate concentration of foreign inclusions:

space="preserve" listing-type="tabular">Inclusions % by wt. in glass ______________________________________ Fe 0.1 to 3 Sn 0.1 to 2 Al 0.1 to 2 Other metals 0.1 to 1. ______________________________________

4. An improved heat treatable glass mix comprising:

used-container glass having the following approximate concentration of foreign inclusions mixed therewith;

space="preserve" listing-type="tabular">Inclusions % by wt. in glass ______________________________________ Fe 0.1 to 3 Sn 0.1 to 2 Al 0.1 to 2 Other metals 0.1 to 1 Cellulosics 0.1 to 1 Other organics 0.1 to 1 ______________________________________

said used-container glass having an average reflectance of between about 5% and about 95%; and

a filling agent mixed therewith to a concentration of about 10-80 percent by weight of said mix, said filling agent being coalesceable with said glass upon heating said used-container glass to a temperature and pressure within a range sufficient to sinter and soften said glass but insufficient to melt said glass.

5. The improved mix of claim 4 wherein said filler is selected from the group consisting of clay, asbestos, fiberglass and mixtures thereof, in a concentration of about 40-60 percent by weight of said mix.

6. An improved solid pressed glass product comprising a unitary mass of sintered, particulate used-container glass having the following approximate concentration of foreign inclusions:

space="preserve" listing-type="tabular">Inclusions % by wt. in glass ______________________________________ Fe 0.1 to 3 Sn 0.1 to 2 Al 0.1 to 2 Other metals 0.1 to 1 Filling agent 10-80 ______________________________________

said glass having a reflectance of between about 5% and about 95%.

7. The improved product of claim 6 wherein said filling agent is in a concentration of about 40-60 weight percent.

8. The improved product of claim 6 wherein the surfaces of said pressed product have colored oxide pigments embedded therein.