Method for compaction of flat glass panes

US6374640B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Schott Glas · DE

Inventors

• Ulrich Fotheringham · Wiesbaden, DE
• Dirk Sprenger · Stadecken-Elsheim, DE
• Heinrich Ostendarp · Eschershausen, DE
• Holger Wegener · Alfeld, DE
• Wolfgang Buergel · Mainz, DE
• Eva Hoelzel · Ingelheim am Rhein, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 2, 2000
• Grant date: Apr 23, 2002
• Expiry date: Aug 2, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C03B32/00
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A simple and economical method is described for compacting or shrinking flat glass panes. The method ensures high temperature homogeneity in the glass. First, the glass panes are cleaned and then a stack of glass panes to be treated is assembled without applying a release agent to any of the glass panes. Then the stack of glass panes is placed between ceramic panels made of silicon-infiltrated silicon carbide and this stack together with the ceramic panels is subjected to a heat treatment in a radiation furnace at temperatures ranging from 300° C. to 900° C. The ceramic panels have a thermal conductivity, which, in the region of the heat treatment temperature, is at least 5 times as large as that of the glass panes. The ratio of the total thickness of the ceramic panels to the height of the glass stack should be at least 1/&lgr;/40W/(mK), wherein &lgr; is the thermal conductivity of the ceramic panel at the temperatures of the heat treatment.