Potential for Use of Recycled Cathode Ray Tube Glass in Making Concrete Blocks and Paving Flags

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Civil Engineering
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Electronic waste (e-waste), particularly cathode ray tube (CRT) glass from older televisions and monitors, is a growing global environmental concern.
• The replacement of CRT technology with thin film transistor (TFT) and liquid crystal display (LCD) screens has accelerated the accumulation of CRT glass in e-waste streams.
• Recycling CRT glass presents an opportunity to divert waste from landfills and explore its potential in new applications, such as the construction industry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the feasibility of using ground cathode ray tube (CRT) glass as an admixture in concrete blocks and paving flags.
• To evaluate the physical and mechanical properties of construction materials incorporating CRT glass.
• To assess the environmental safety aspects, including radioactivity and leaching, of CRT glass in concrete products.

Main Methods:

• Concrete blocks and paving flags were produced using a combination of quartz sand and ground CRT glass (0.25/1.00 mm fraction).
• Standardized tests were conducted to assess properties such as dimensions, freeze-thaw resistance, de-icing salt resistance, water absorption, and splitting tensile strength.
• Advanced analyses included Böhme wear resistance, pendulum slip resistance testing, radioactivity and leaching tests, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for texture analysis.

Main Results:

• Experimental products incorporating ground CRT glass met the required physical and mechanical property standards for construction materials.
• The inclusion of CRT glass did not compromise essential performance characteristics like durability and strength.
• Radioactivity and leaching tests confirmed the safety of using CRT glass in these applications.

Conclusions:

• Ground cathode ray tube (CRT) glass can be effectively utilized as a component in the manufacturing of concrete blocks and paving flags.
• This research demonstrates a viable method for recycling CRT glass, contributing to sustainable construction practices and e-waste management.
• The use of CRT glass in construction materials offers a promising solution for reducing environmental impact while producing functional building products.