Preparation and characterization of cordierite glass–ceramics for bonding solar thermal transmission pipelines

TiO 2 was employed to develop cordierite glass–ceramics for thermal transmission pipeline binders by a melt‐quenching method. The effects of TiO 2 on the phase composition, microstructure, and physical properties of glass–ceramics were studied. In addition, the thermal shock resistance of the glass–ceramics based binder was investigated. The results showed the formation of α cordierite could be increased by adding 1.0 wt% TiO 2 , thereby improving bending strength and decreasing the coefficient of thermal expansion. However, a 3‐5 wt% TiO 2 additive resulted in massive generation of µ cordierite, which exhibited a negative effect on the above performances. After crystallization at 1000°C for 2 h, sample B1 (1 wt% TiO 2 additional) displayed the best overall properties. It was demonstrated that cordierite glass–ceramics were satisfactory materials as heat transmission pipeline binders when the C2 binder (40 wt% frit, 60 wt% as‐prepared sample B1) was applied, which had a good thermal shock resistance.