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Designing a Universal Glass Composite for Plaster Mortars
Wiktor Szewczenko1, Galyna Kotsay1
1Faculty of Civil Engineering, Mechanics and Petrochemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, Łukasiewicza St. 17, 09-400 Płock, Poland.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 12, 2026
Summary
This study explores using waste glass in composites as versatile construction materials. Adjusting the water glass to waste glass powder ratio controls properties for plastering and mortars, offering superior adhesion in humid conditions.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Civil Engineering
- Sustainable Construction
Background:
- Construction industry relies on diverse materials with minor property variations.
- Material substitution is complex, increasing product range and warehousing needs.
- Need for universal construction materials with tunable properties based on component ratios.
Purpose of the Study:
- Evaluate glass composites with powdered waste glass as alternatives to conventional materials.
- Investigate the tunability of composite properties by altering component ratios.
- Assess the performance of these composites, particularly in high-humidity environments.
Main Methods:
- Formulation of glass composites using water glass and powdered waste glass.
- Adjustment of the water glass to waste glass powder ratio.
- Rheological property analysis to determine suitability for plastering and installation mortars.
- Adhesion strength testing, especially under high-humidity conditions.
Main Results:
- Rheological properties of glass composites are controllable via the water glass/waste glass powder ratio.
- Achieved viscosity values are suitable for both plastering and installation mortars.
- Composites demonstrate significantly higher adhesion strength than gypsum mortars in high humidity.
Conclusions:
- Glass composites with waste glass offer adaptable, substrate-specific construction materials.
- These materials exhibit geopolymer-like characteristics.
- Potential for reducing material diversity and optimizing warehouse management in construction.
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