Glass-ceramics containing fibers exhibiting thermoplastic properties
AssigneeCorning Glass Works
InventorsJoseph E. Pierson, Stanley D. Stookey
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Abstract
The present invention relates to the production of glass-ceramic articles having compositions within the alkali silicate field which, because the crystal phase consists essentially of silica fibers, demonstrates exceptional impact resistance. When such articles are subjected to steam hydration at elevated temperatures, toughness with accompanying resilience and thermoplastic behavior will be observed.
Claims17
A glass-ceramic body exhibiting exceptional impact resistance consisting essentially of crystalline silica fibers contained within a residual glassy matrix, said fibers having a needlelike structure and being oriented in essentially a single direction, and said glass-ceramic body consisting essentially, by weight, of about 75-95% SiO.sub.2 and 5-25% Na.sub.2 O and/or K.sub.2 O.
A method for making a glass-ceramic body consisting essentially of crystalline silica fibers contained within a residual glassy matrix and exhibiting exceptional impact resistance, said fibers having a needle-like structure and being oriented in essentially a single direction, which comprises:
- melting a batch for a glass consisting essentially, by weight, of about 5-25% Na.sub.2 O and/or K.sub.2 O and 75-95% SiO.sub.2 ;
- b. simultaneously cooling and shaping a glass body therefrom;
- and
- c. exposing said glass body to a temperature between about 775.degree.-1200.degree.C. for a sufficient length of time to cause the crystallization of silica fibers therein, thereby making a glass-ceramic body consisting essentially of crystalline silica fibers contained in a residual glassy matrix.
A glass-ceramic body exhibiting toughness and thermoplastic properties consisting essentially of crystalline silica fibers contained within a residual glassy matrix, said fibers having a needle-like structure and being oriented in essentially a single direction, wherein said glass-ceramic body has an amount of water absorbed therein effective to impart thermoplastic properties thereto, said glass-ceramic body consisting essentially, by weight on the oxide basis, exclusive of water contained within its volume, of about 75-95% SiO.sub.2 and 5-25% Na.sub.2 O and/or K.sub.2 O.
A method for making a glass-ceramic body consisting essentially of crystalline silica fibers contained within a residual glassy matrix and exhibiting toughness and thermoplastic properties, said fibers having a needle-like structure and being oriented in essentially a single direction, which comprises:
- a. melting a batch for a glass consisting essentially, by weight on the oxide basis, of about 5-25% Na.sub.2 O and/or K.sub.2 O and 75-95% SiO.sub.2 ;
- b. simultaneously cooling and shaping a glass body therefrom;
- c. exposing said glass body to a temperature between about 775.degree.-1200.degree.C. for a sufficient length of time to cause the crystallization of silica fibers therein, thereby making a glass-ceramic body consisting essentially of crystalline silica fibers contained within a residual glassy matrix;
- and
- d. subjecting said glass-ceramic body to a H.sub.2 O-containing environment of at least 10% relative humidity at a temperature greater than 100.degree.C. for a sufficient length of time to cause an amount of water to be absorbed by said residual glassy matrix in at least a surface portion of said glass-ceramic article effective to impart thermoplastic properties thereto.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.