Influences of Different Foaming Agents on Microstructure and Properties of Lithium Slag Foam Glass

doi:10.16552/j.cnki.issn1001-1625.2025.0223

Abstract

Abstract: With the rapid development of the lithium battery industry, the resource utilization of the massive amount of lithium slag has become an urgent issue to be solved. In this study, lithium slag was used as the main raw material to prepare foam glass, with MnO₂, SiC and CaCO₃ introduced as foaming agents. The effects of different types and content of foaming agents on the foaming process, pore structure and physical properties of the foam glass were systematically investigated, and the corresponding foaming mechanisms were elucidated. The results show that increase the content of MnO₂ and CaCO₃ leads to increase of pore size and decrease of bulk density, compressive strength and thermal conductivity. With the increase of SiC content, pore size decreases and bulk density, compressive strength and thermal conductivity increase. Excessive MnO₂ forms open-cell structures, whereas SiC and CaCO₃ forms closed-cell structures. When the MnO₂ content is 4%～5% (mass fracton) and SiC content is 1%～2% (mass fracton), the foam glass exhibits optimal comprehensive performance, with a bulk density of 0.35～0.44 g/cm³, compressive strength of 1.24～2.99 MPa, and thermal conductivity of 0.058～0.065 W/(m·K), meeting industry standard. This study provides theoretical support and a technical pathway for the high-value utilization of lithium slag.

Key words: lithium slag, foam glass, foaming agent, pore structure, physical property, foaming mechanism

CLC Number:

TU55

CHEN Kun, LIAO Qilong, LIU Laibao, WANG Fu, ZHU Hanzhen, SHI Xianpan, DAN Yong, ZHAO Peng. Influences of Different Foaming Agents on Microstructure and Properties of Lithium Slag Foam Glass[J]. BULLETIN OF THE CHINESE CERAMIC SOCIETY, 2025, 44(9): 3315-3325.

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