Abstract: A foamed glass body, comprising a foamed glass portion and a pore portion. The pore portion includes a plurality of gas-filled pores generally homogeneously distributed throughout the foamed glass portion. The foamed glass portion has a cristobalite content of less than one volume percent.

Abstract: A method of treating a surface to remove unwanted material therefrom, including providing a foamed glass article formed from a starting mixture including glass, a carbonate foaming agent, and a devitrification agent selected from the group potassium phosphate, potassium phosphate tribasic, sodium phosphate and combinations thereof, and contacting the surface with the foamed glass article while providing relative movement between the surface and the article. The crystal silica content of the foamed glass body is less than 1 weight percent. The surface is treated by sanding, rubbing, scraping, degreasing, polishing, cleaning, smoothing, depilling, grooming, stripping, degumming, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A foamed glass body, comprising a foamed glass portion and a pore portion. The pore portion includes a plurality of gas-filled pores generally homogeneously distributed throughout the foamed glass portion. The foamed glass portion has a cristobalite content of less than one volume percent.

Abstract: A method of treating a surface to remove unwanted material therefrom, including providing a foamed glass article formed from a starting mixture including glass, a carbonate foaming agent, and a devitrification agent selected from the group potassium phosphate, potassium phosphate tribasic, sodium phosphate and combinations thereof, and contacting the surface with the foamed glass article while providing relative movement between the surface and the article. The crystal silica content of the foamed glass body is less than 1 weight percent. The surface is treated by sanding, rubbing, scraping, degreasing, polishing, cleaning, smoothing, depilling, grooming, stripping, degumming, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A ground glass surface or object treating agent, a use therefor, and a method of making the same are provided. The agent comprises at least ground foamed glass, and if in dry form can also include disinfectant powder and/or surfactant powder. If in gel form, the agent can also include water as well as binder, thickener and/or surfactant. The ground glass is virgin glass, recycled glass or a mixture thereof, and preferably has a particle size of no greater than 12 mesh.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the preferably continuous manufacture of foamed material using a furnace are provided. A two-part mold mechanism is provided that includes an upper portion and a lower portion that are each endless loops and cooperate with one another to form a closed mold within the furnace. The upper and lower portions can each comprise a plurality of transverse mold members that can be easily replaced or exchanged during operation of the apparatus. A feed mechanism is provided for introducing material that is to be foamed to the mold mechanism upstream of the furnace. Scrapers or the like can be provided downstream of the furnace to aid in separating and supporting foamed material from the mold mechanism.

Abstract: A foamed glass article for preparing surfaces, the use therefor, and a method of making same are provided. The foamed glass article is in the form of a block, disk or similar product, and is used for preparing surfaces such as by sanding, rubbing and scraping the same to clean, abrade, polish, smooth, or the like such a surface. The foamed glass article is formed from a starting mixture that comprised glass, 0.10-20% by weight of at least one non-carbon/sulfate based foaming agent, and optionally an additional abrasive material. A mixture of powdered glass and non-carbon/sulfate based foaming agent can be placed in a mold and heated so that the mixture sinters and subsequently foams. Thereafter, the foamed mixture is annealed.

Abstract: A foamed glass article for preparing surfaces, the use therefor, and a method of making same are provided. The foamed glass article is in the form of a block, disk or similar product, and is used for preparing surfaces such as by sanding, rubbing and scraping the same to clean, abrade, polish, smooth, or the like such a surface. The foamed glass article is formed from a starting mixture that comprised waste glass, 0.10-20% by weight of a non-sulfur based foaming agent, and optionally an additional abrasive material. A mixture of powdered waste glass and non-sulfur based foaming agent can be placed in a mold and heated so that the mixture sinters and subsequently foams. Thereafter, the foamed mixture is annealed.