Valorization of Glass Production Waste in Rubber-Based Composites for Sustainable Applications

The valorization of glass production waste (GPW) as a functional additive in rubber-based composites presents a sustainable approach to waste management and material enhancement. In this study, GPW was ground into fine powder and incorporated into rubber formulations at 5, 10, and 15 phr. The effects of GPW on curing behavior, rheological, and mechanical performance of the rubber composites (RCs_GPW) were evaluated. Rheometric analysis revealed that the incorporation of GPW accelerated the vulcanization process, reducing cure time and increasing the cure rate index. Physico-mechanical tests demonstrated that GPW addition into the rubber compounds improved hardness while maintaining acceptable tensile strength and elongation at break. However, excessive GPW loading led to particle agglomeration, adversely affecting mechanical properties. The morphological, compositional, and thermal properties of GPW and rubber composites were investigated using SEM, EDX, FTIR, TGA, and DSC analyses, confirming the dispersion of GPW particles and their interaction with the rubber matrix. The findings suggest that GPW can serve as a cost-effective, eco-friendly functional additive in rubber composite production, promoting circular economy principles in the rubber industry. Among the tested formulations, 10 phr of GPW was identified as the optimal loading level, providing the best balance between mechanical performance and thermal stability.