Optical Properties of Soda-lime Color Glass Fabricated by Using Refused Coal Ore

Glass was fabricated using refused coal ore obtained from the Dogye coal mine in Samcheok. We additionally used soda ash and calcium carbonate to make a glass with the chemical composition of soda-lime glass, and we also used white, brown, and green glass cullet to make various kinds of colored glass. Transparent glass was fabricated by melting batch materials including refused coal ore at 1550 degrees C for 1 hr in an electrical furnace. The light transmittance and color chromaticity were measured by a UV/VIS/NIR spectrometer. Transparent glass with a light transmittance of over 80% was fabricated using normal refused coal ore and white glass cullet. Various kinds of colored glass with a light transmittance of 30-80% were fabricated using refused coal ore and brown or green glass cullet. The light transmittance of the mixed color glass samples, fabricated using normal refused coal ore and brown glass cullet and green glass cullet, indicated 30-47%, a relatively low value, in the condition of a cullet ratio of 20-50%. The characteristics of the color chromaticity of the glass samples were indicated in a chromaticity diagram by x-coordinates, y-coordinates, Y (lightness). The values of x-coordinates and y-coordinates were moved with a regular directional property according to the kind and amount of glass cullet. Therefore, we concluded that refused coal ore can be used for raw materials of color glass products like art glass and glass tile.