A method of densifying a glass or glass composite structure
AssigneeMcDonnell Douglas Corporation
InventorRichard W. Goettler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of densifying glass-composite structures using a superplastically deformed foil to partially encapsulate a glass-composite part and a part holding die. The die and part are contained in a rigid box held in a press. The foil is deformed over the die and part. Heat and pressure are applied to the die and part, through the rigid box, to soften the glass matrix of the part and to cause the glass to flow into the voids of the part.
Claims13
A method of densifying glass-composite structures having a glass matrix comprising confining a void containing (Ocontaining) glass-composite structure in a die, confining the die and glass-composite structure in a rigid enclosure, placing the rigid enclosure in a press, placing a superplastically formable foil adjacent to the glass composite and die, said superplastically deformable foil having a temperature range of superplastic deformation which includes the softening point of the glass matrix (the foil being held at a location spaced from the glass-composite and die,) releasably trapping the foil against the rigid enclosure by pressure of the press, heating the glass-composite and the foil above the softening temperature of the glass matrix, superplastically deforming the foil to partially encapsulate the glass-composite and die and confine the glass-composite and die between the superplastically deformed foil and the enclosure, applying pressure to the glass-composite through the superplastically deformed foil, the temperature and pressure being effective to produce a flow of the softened glass matrix into the voids of the glass-composite and produce a strong, non-porous, densified structure.
A method of densifying a glass structure comprising confining a void (Ocontaining) containing glass structure in a die, confining the die and glass structure in a die, confining the die and glass structure in an enclosure, placing the enclosure in a press, placing a superplastically formable foil adjacent to the glass structure and die, said superplastically deformable foil having a temperature range of superplastic deformation which includes the softening point of the glass releasably trapping the superplastically formable foil to the enclosure by pressure applied by the press, heating the glass structure and the foil above the softening temperature of the glass, superplastically deforming the foil to partially encapsulate the glass and die and confine the glass and die between the superplastically deformed foil and the enclosure, applying pressure to the glass structure through the superplastically deformed foil, the temperature and pressure being effective to produce a flow of the softened glass into the voids of the glass structure and produce a strong, non-porous, densified structure, releasing the pressure of the press and separating the foil from the glass and die.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.