Methods of preparing ceramic material

A method of preparing a ceramic material comprising particles of a devitrified glass and silicate binder selected from the group consisting of water-glass and finely divided glass, comprising the steps of:

• forming a mixture of particles of crystallizable glass frit and said silicate binder having a melting point of between 950.degree. and 1,100.degree. C, heating said mixture to a temperature of between 950.degree. and 1,100.degree. C so as to melt said silicate and initiate a crystallization of said glass frit, and cooling the fired mixture to room temperature;
• and wherein said crystallizable glass frit has a maximum particle size of substantially 2 mm and being substantially 90% by weight of said mixture and said silicate binder including waste glass powder having a maximum particle size of substantially 160 microns and being 10% by weight of said mixture, and further comprising the steps of adding to said mixture 5 ml of water-glass solution having a concentration of substantially 36.degree. Be and 5 ml water per 100 g of said mixture, shaping said mixture to form a plate, coating said plate, and melting said coated plate at a temperature of substantially 1,050.degree. C.

A method of preparing a ceramic material comprising particles of a devitrified glass and silicate binder selected from the group consisting of water-glass and finely divided glass, comprising the steps of:

• forming a mixture of particles of crystallizable glass frit and said silicate binder having a melting point of between 950.degree. and 1,100.degree. C, heating said mixture to a temperature of between 950.degree. and 1,100.degree. C so as to melt said silicate and initiate a crystallization of said glass frit, and cooling the fired mixture to room temperature;
• and wherein said crystallizable glass frit has a maximum particle size of substantially 2 mm and being 70% by weight of said mixture, said binder including waste glass having a maximum particle size of substantially 160 microns and being 30% by weight of said mixture, and further comprising the steps of adding to said mixture a 5 ml water-glass solution having a concentration of substantially 36.degree. Be and 5 ml water per 100 g of said mixture, and further comprising the steps of shaping said mixture to form a plate, coating said plate with a zirconium oxide containing enamel having substantially 0.5% chromium oxide, and melting said plate at a temperature of substantially 1,050.degree. C.