LITERATURE REVIEW

Many types of research have discussed the creation of different types of

transparent concrete, depending on using optical fiber raw material. Multiple
techniques have been suggested, either adding optical fiber dispersedly or in the
form of bundles placed inside glass tubes. As a result, those optical fibers are soft
and cannot be directly embedded in the concrete mixture; they are placed in
tubes so that they can be included in the concrete mixture to achieve transparent
concrete technology. This type of concrete is difficult to be applied practically due
to the high costs of optical fibers, the difficulty of forming them inside the
concrete panels, and the delicacy of the optical fiber diameters, which are
measured by micron. As a result of these limitations, some researchers used
materials that are easy to apply and inexpensive such as waste glasses glass rods
and epoxy resin rods in LiTraCon. In 2010 a new type of transparent concrete was
innovated by mixing glass with concrete in different amounts to focus more on
transparency so it can be applied in green architecture.Reference the authors
have used transparent plastic bars with diameter 5 mm and 10 mm to transmit
light to the concrete with polyvinyl alcohol addition to overcome the problem of
bonding between concrete and plastic bars,the arrested cracking, and the
enhanced ductiliy The results showed that the insertion of the plastic bars
reduced the concrete matrix-fiber transfer capacity [14]. Acrylic pipes and rods
with diameters 3, 4, and 10 mm were used in lightweight aggregate concrete and
lightweight foaming concrete [19]. The authors applied 10 mm steel fibers to 0.5%
of the overall volume and the result showed that the compressive strength of
lightweight aggregate concrete and lightweight foaming concrete decreased by 60
% and 85 % respectively. Most experimental works demonstrated there was a
reduction in mechanical properties with an increasing optical fiber content of
LiTraCon Due to the difficulties of compaction concrete in presence of optical
fibers, some authors prefer to investigate translucent cement mortar. showed
that the translucent cement mortar is more efficient than the translucent
concrete.The current research proposes the possibility of taking advantage of the
optical and mechanical properties of the plexiglass material to be used as an
alternative to optical fibers in the production of transparent cement
mortar.Furthermore, the possibility of re-using pre-fabricated and used plexiglass
raw materials that can be cut by laser in the form of bars of equal lengths which
are then included in the concrete mix to make it transparent and therefore,
achieves the concept of environmental sustainability in producing this type of
concrete by avoiding the recycling of this polymer which polluting the
environment. The paper proceeds by display the applications of transparent
concrete. Afterward, the properties of used materials along with the utilized
methodology are introduced. Then, results analysis is illustrated. Finally, the
conclusion is presented.

01. Borosilicate Glass: Properties, Production and Applications

Known for its heat resistance and physical durability, borosilicate glass is useful in
many applications mostly involved with temperature changes. The material owes
its strength and resistance to its unique combination of silica, boric oxide, among
various other oxides. The presence of boron oxide to replace some of the oxide
components enhances the binding forces within the glass material.

Borosilicate glass properties

Low thermal expansion

With a thermal expansion coefficient of at least 3.2 x 10-6 1/K, pure borosilicate
glass is significantly more resistant to temperature changes where other types of
glass may become warped or deformed.Its strength in thermal shock exposure
makes the material suitable for laboratory heating and cookware. This
characteristically low thermal expansion allows the material to maintain its
integrity, even when transferred from a cold region (such as a refrigerator) to a
hot area (like an oven) in seconds. Modifications in the amount of its components
may increase the thermal expansion coefficient to 7.38 x 10-6 1/K, but it is still
much more resistant than ordinary soda-lime glass.

Other thermal properties of borosilicate glass include the following:

Annealing temperature = 470 - 640°C

Vicat softening temperature = 460 - 840°C

Transition temperature = 440 - 560°C

High material strength

Compared to similar glassware, borosilicate glass can withstand blunt force

impact better. It has a Shear modulus of 26.5 – 27 GPa and Knoop hardness of 400
– 480 at 20°C.

Chemical stability

Borosilicate glass can withstand corrosion and breaking when exposed to acidic
environments.

Production and processing

This special type of glass is produced from melting the following substances (with
corresponding approximate composition): silica sand (59.5%), boric oxide
(21.5%), potassium oxide (14.4%), zinc oxide (2.3%), and trace amounts of calcium
oxide and aluminium oxide.

variants – such as in cases wherein borosilicate glass is used as cookware – may

change the silica composition to as high as 81%, depending on its intended use.

The melting process requires an exceedingly higher temperature than traditional

glass production, owing to the material’s high transition temperature of up to
560°C.

Once the substrate has been produced, borosilicate glass may be processed in a
number of ways depending on the application for the material. This glass material
may be moulded or drawn into tubes, and processed into custom shapes and
sizes.

03. Applications of borosilicate glass

Borosilicate glass has become useful in a wide variety of industries and
applications, because of its physical and chemical properties.

Laboratory glassware

Borosilicate glass is popular as a base material for laboratory glassware, mainly

because of the material’s chemical and thermal stability. Most of the modern
beakers, flasks, and other glass receptacles designed for laboratory use are made
of borosilicate glass.

Pharmaceutical glass tubing

Borosilicate glass is used for the manufacture of pharmaceutical containers like

syringes, cartridges, vials and ampoules. The material is mostly chemically inert
when in contact with most liquid medication products.

Cookware and kitchen implements

Owing to its remarkable thermal resistance, this glass material has found its way
into kitchenware, particularly for cooking and baking. Popular cookware brands
make use of borosilicate glass for baking dishes and glass cooking pots.

In addition, because of its low thermal expansion, this glass material is used for
measuring cups and similar receptacles. Graduations labelled on the glass
containers retain their accuracy because the material won’t warp when exposed
to high temperatures.

Optical equipment

Due to the stability of borosilicate glass, it is a good material in fabricating slides

and lenses for microscopes, telescopes, and other optical devices. Addition of
doping agents may change the glass characteristics, such as optical absorption
spectra.

Lighting technology

Lighting equipment requires glass receptacles and membranes that can withstand
intense heat, and this is where borosilicate glass is extremely useful. Devices that
use this glass type include HID lamps, modern high-powered flashlights, and
studio spotlights.Recent studies involve modifications in the chemical
composition of borosilicate glass, through the addition of doping chemicals.
Alteration in the photoluminescence spectra of the material is poised to become
useful for solid state display, W-LED, and similar applications.

04. REFERENCE
https://books.google.com.au/books?id=nGsoDwAAQBAJ

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28988155

https://www.nature.com/articles/srep15387