High temperature resistant coatings

 
Solar energy can be harvested by photovoltaic cells or by solar central. Solar central have a simplistic architecture composed of coated pipes coupled to a turbine. The coatings will absorb the solar energy, heat up and transfer this heat through conduction to the fluid inside the pipe. The heat of the fluid will then be transformed into electricity by the turbine. The two main challenges for the coating manufacturer are: (1) to find a coating resistant to high temperature (650 °C or higher); (2) to carefully select a pigment with the desired optical properties. The aim of this article is to outline the important parameters to take into account when designing such coatings.