In this study, different lightweight expanded glass aggregates (LEGAs) were produced from glass cullet and various carbonated wastes, through a thermal impact process. The effects of LEGA microstructure and morphology on both the adherence to the cement paste and the mechanical properties of mortars after 28 days of curing were studied. The properties of lightweight mortars made of either LEGAs or expanded clay aggregates were compared. The results demonstrated the feasibility of using LEGAs to produce glass lightweight aggregate mortar, with flexural and compressive strength values ranging from 5.5 to 8.2 MPa and from 28.1 to 47.6 MPa, respectively. The differences in mechanical properties were explained according to the microstructures of the fracture surfaces. Thus, arlite-type ceramic aggregates presented surface porosities that allowed mortar intrusion and the formation of an interconnected interface; although the surfaces of the vitreous aggregates were free from porosity due to their vitreous nature, the mortars obtained from different wastes presented compressive and flexural strengths in the range of lightweight mortars.
Keywords: LEGAs; compressive strength; flexural strength; lightweight expanded glass aggregates; lightweight mortars; microstructure.