Crystallization, structure, and properties of TiO2-ZrO2 co-doped MgO-B2O3-Al2O3-SiO2 glass-ceramics

•TiO2-ZrO2 Co-doped MASB glass-ceramic with low thermal expansion was developed.•The values of the crystallization kinetics parameters for crystal growth calculated using various methods were consistent.•The stability of MAS glasses increased by replacing TiO2 with ZrO2.•A proper amount of TiO2 and ZrO2 contributed to the crystallization and formation of cordierite.•Rutile or zircon phase will precipitate from the parent glasses due to TiO2-ZrO2 doping excessive. TiO2–ZrO2-codoped MgO–B2O3–Al2O3–SiO2 glass-ceramics were prepared using the traditional melting method. The effects of replacing TiO2 with ZrO2 on the glass stability (GS), crystallization behavior, structures, and properties of the obtained samples were studied. Results showed that the addition of ZrO2 increased the GS, which decreased the crystallization ability of the samples. When the heat treatment temperature was increased from 900 °C to 1000 °C, the mullite and quartz phases first precipitated in the glass matrix, and then converted into cordierite. Because of the low solubility of TiO2 and ZrO2 in this glass system, the rutile and zircon phases will precipitate from the parent glasses. Owing to changes in the composition and structure of the samples, the density and Vickers hardness increased, while the coefficient of thermal expansion of the samples first decreased and then increased when TiO2 was replaced with ZrO2.