Glass thermal shock resistance

Thermal Properties. Many commercial glass-ceramics have capitalized on thek superior thermal properties, particularly low or zero thermal expansion coupled with high thermal stabiUty and thermal shock resistance properties that are not readily achievable in glasses or ceramics. Linear thermal expansion coefficients ranging from —60 to 200 x 10 j° C can be obtained. Near-zero expansion materials are used in apphcations such as telescope mirror blanks, cookware, and stove cooktops, while high expansion frits are used for sealing metals. 

The properties of high quaUty vitreous sihca that determine its uses iaclude high chemical resistance, low coefficient of thermal expansion (5.5 X 10 /° C), high thermal shock resistance, high electrical resistivity, and high optical transmission, especially ia the ultraviolet. Bulk vitreous sihca is difficult to work because of the absence of network-modifyiag ions present ia common glass formulations. An extensive review of the properties and stmcture of vitreous sihca is available (72). 

Vitreous sihca has many exceptional properties. Most are the expected result of vitreous sihca being an extremely pure and strongly bonded glass. Inert to most common chemical agents, it has a high softening point, low thermal expansion, exceUent thermal shock resistance, and an exceUent optical transmission over a wide spectmm. Compared to other technical glasses, vitreous sihca is one of the best thermal and electrical insulators and has one of the lowest indexes of refraction. 

Soda-lime glass Borosilicate glass 70 SiOj, 10 CaO, 15 Na O 80 SiOj, 15 BjOj, 5 NajO Windows, bottles, etc. easily formed and shaped. Pyrex cooking and chemical glassware high-temperature strength, low coefficient of expansion, good thermal shock resistance. 

When you pour boiling water into a cold bottle and discover that the bottom drops out with a smart pop, you have re-invented the standard test for thermal shock resistance. Fracture caused by sudden changes in temperature is a problem with ceramics. But while some (like ordinary glass) will only take a temperature "shock" of 80°C before they break, others (like silicon nitride) will stand a sudden change of 500°C, and this is enough to fit them for use in environments as violent as an internal combustion engine. 

Thermal Expansion. Most manufacturers literature (87,119,136—138) quotes a linear expansion coefficient within the 0—300°C range of 5.4 x 10"7 to 5.6 x 10 7 /°C. The effect of thermal history on low temperature expansion of Homosil (Heraeus Schott Quarzschmelze GmbH) and Osram s vitreous silicas is shown in Figure 4. The 1000, 1300, and 1720°C curves are for samples that were held at these temperatures until equilibrium density was achieved and then quenched in water. The effect of temperature on linear expansion of vitreous silica is compared with that of typical soda—lime and borosilicate glasses in Figure 5. The low thermal expansion of vitreous silica is the main reason that it has a high thermal shock resistance compared to other glasses. 

Because E does not differ greatly among the various grades of glass, differences of thermal shock resistance depend primarily on differences in thermal expansion. 

Li20-Si02 (LAS). The trade names of such glass-ceramic matrix materials are Corningware, Zerodur and Ceran. This type of glass-ceramic matrix material has nearly zero thermal expansion and high thermal shock resistance. It is used for the production of optical and telescopic mirrors. 

Whisker-reinforced glass-ceramic matrices are expected to find several applications in automotive components, metal forming, cutting tools, etc., due to their low thermal expansion, high thermal shock resistance, high reliability and low material and processing costs. Some industrial applications for continuous fibre-reinforced ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) are listed below. 

Kagawa, Y., Kurosawa, N., Kishi, T. (1993), Thermal shock resistance of SiC fibre-reinforced borosilicate glass and lithium aluminosilicate matrix composites , J. Mater. Sci., 28, 735-741. 

Soda lime Inexpensive easy to melt and shape most widely used glass Poor durability not chemically resistant poor thermal shock resistance Windows bottles light bulbs jars... 

---