Processing of coal ash into glass ceramic products by powder technology and sintering

High iron containing ash from an Egyptian coal power station was mixed with borosilicate glass powder of Pyrex(TM) composition in order to fabricate glass ceramic materials by the sintering technique. The concentration of glass ranged from 0 to 60 Samples containing ash and glass in a 50/50 proportion and sintered at 1500degreesC for 5 h showed the best results in terms of densification and microstructure development. Moreover, these samples exhibited magnetic properties which were related to the presence of a ferrite type phase. Magnetisation curves typical oil soft magnetic material were measured by the vibrating sample magnetometer technique. The present results show a convenient way to treat iron containing ash, transforming it into useful glass ceramic products via a simple and cost effective powder technology and sintering route.