Recycling of glass wastes of dappen glass and utilizing them in the production of tiles and artworks

Abstract

The problem of environment and solid industrial wastes which cause pollution has become a major subject concerned by the researchers so as to secure well being in a suitable and clean environment, in which the people who do not want to spoil life and health are leading their life. As the cities are involved in bleeding of materials, resources and environmental raw materials in industrialization, which causes wastes that may increase or decrease according to the possibility of each country and factory, the study of these wastes, recycling them and disposing of them has become one of the most important requirements for the countries in general. This is the reason that made us, in our quality as specialists in the field of art and technology of glass design, think of this problem and study it so as to find methods to scientifically and technologically remedy it. It is worthy to mention that the percentage of wastes of dappen glass in Egypt may reach to 35% of the total annual production of the dappen glass. Therefore, we tried to recycle these wastes and utilize them in making carved glass tiles or making the vitrified tiles, glass mosaic and handmade glass artworks. By this way, we may reach to a solution preserving the environment against these accumulations and remains, and we can also minimize exploitation of the natural resources used in glass manufacture. In order to achieve the objective of this research, the following studies have been made: •Making a survey and collecting data pertaining to the production of dappen glass in Egypt, ratio of wastes and broken remains resulted from it annually, the most important methods of collecting its remains, and the technological methods used in the processes of its recycle and utilization. •Making studies and scientific analyses of specification of this glass and the special additions of colored oxides, specifying the temperature degree required in melting and cooling, resistance and effects caused by climate factors. •Making studies related to the production of carved transparent glass tiles from the melted glass and the crushed recycled glass. •Making some masterpieces of handmade colored glass (free formation). •Making technological studies to produce mural artworks from glassware.