B-Spodumene Glass-Ceramic With Anomolous Low Thermal Expansion

To survay new method for controlling thermal expansion of glass-ceramic material, we studied the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and the microstructure of B-spodumene glass-ceramics. We found that the CTE of the B-Spodumene glass-ceramics is remarkably reduced by redcuing interstices at the boundry between the crystaline and glass phases. Despite its relatively low crystallinity (45vol%), a newly developed glass-ceramic showed an anomlous low thermal expansion of 7x10-7 /C which compares to that of silica glass. The mechanical strength of this glass-ceramic was at the same level as that of natural stones: marble and granite.