Metal-inclusive edge seal for vacuum insulating glass unit, and/or method of making the same

A method of making a vacuum insulating glass (VIG) unit, including an edge seal thereof, the method comprising:

• providing first and second spaced-apart glass substrates, and one or more edge portions of the first and second substrates to be sealed;
• providing at least one metal strip for use in sealing at least one of the edge portions to be sealed, the strip having a coefficient of thermal expansion so that the coefficient of thermal expansion of the strip and a coefficient of thermal expansion of the glass substrates do not differ from each other by more than about 25% over a temperature range of from about −40° C. to about 50° C.;
• and
• sealing at least one edge portion of the first and second substrates using the edge-sealing metal strip, in making the vacuum insulating glass unit, and an edge-sealing material provided proximate the strip and the first and second glass substrates.

A vacuum insulating glass (VIG) unit comprising:

• first and second substantially parallel spaced-apart glass substrates, including edge portions thereof;
• at least one metal strip located between the substrates and proximate to the edge portions of the substrates,
• the metal strip having a coefficient of thermal expansion so that the coefficient of thermal expansion of the strip and a coefficient of thermal expansion of the glass substrates do not differ from each other by more than about 25% over a temperature range of from about −40° C. to about 50° C.;
• and
• wherein the first and second substrates are sealed together proximate to the edge portions thereof via the at least one edge-sealing strip and an edge-sealing material provided proximate the strip and the first and second glass substrates.