Analysis of forming process for foam products made from waste glass powder

摘要

The methodology of forming by the firing process for glass foam products, with a goal to recycle waste glass powder, is investigated. Firing of the glass powder compacts for large planters, as an example of the products, is performed and the factors responsible for the change in shape of the compacts during firing are clarified by experimental and numerical methods. To formulate foaming and expansion behavior during firing, gas generation due to a foaming agent is examined by thermal analysis, and deformation of the compacts is described by a constitutive equation for sintering and a rate equation of the chemical reaction. Based on the formulation, the firing process for the planters is analyzed by a three-dimensional coupled finite-element method of viscoplastic deformation and heat transfer. It is found that nonuniform deformation of the compacts due to gas generation and gravity is significantly affected by the temperature distribution in the furnace as well as the distortion of the compacts in the drying process performed before firing.