Patent · US Expired

Method for making glass articles with defect-free surfaces

US4102664A · kind A · utility

161Cited by
6References
4Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMay 18, 1977
Grant dateJul 25, 1978
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 18, 1997

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC03B17/02
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

This invention relates to a method for forming glass articles having essentially defect-free surfaces which can be equivalent in smoothness to that achieved in a polishing operation, and which can demonstrate mechanical strength superior to that exhibited by glass articles produced via conventional glass-forming techniques.The method contemplates melting two different glass compositions, one of which is highly soluble in a given solvent and the second of which is relatively insoluble in the same solvent; the molten glasses are simultaneously brought together while in the fluid state to form a laminated glass body wherein the insoluble glass is essentially completely enveloped within the soluble glass; the laminae are fused together at a temperature where the melts are in fluid form to provide an interface therebetween which is free from defects; the laminated article is cooled; and the soluble outer glass layer is dissolved away in an appropriate solvent. An exchange of ions takes place at the interface between the insoluble glass and the soluble outer glass layer.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.