Granite like materials from hazardous wastes obtained by sintercrystallisation of glass frits

The present paper discusses sintered glass–ceramics with attractive appearance, which are obtained by vitrification of hazardous industrial wastes. The chemical durability of parent wastes and resulting glasses was characterised by toxic characteristics leaching procedure (TCLP). The crystallisation behaviour was evaluated by DTA and XRD, while the structure of materials was observed by optical microscopy. Finally, the thermal and mechanical properties were measured. The obtained glass–ceramics have granite like granular structure, elevated chemical durability and mechanical properties that surpass considerably the characteristics of natural stones and traditional monofired tile ceramics.