Crystallizing enamel composition and method of making and using the same

Abstract

The present invention provides a new and useful enamel composition and method of using the same for producing an enamel finish on a formed section of glass. The enamel composition partially crystallizes upon heating, thereby helping to prevent the forming and handling equipment from sticking and/or adhering to the composition during the forming operation. The enamel composition includes a crystallizable glass frit portion and a seed powder. The crystallized glass frit portion includes precursors from which Zn.sub.2 SiO.sub.4 can be crystallized upon firing of the enamel composition. The seed powder causes at least a portion of the precursors to crystallize upon firing such that during firing at least a part of the crystallizable glass frit yields crystallized Zn.sub.2 SiO.sub.4. The enamel composition also preferably includes bismuth oxide (Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3) in order to help further ensure that no sticking and/or adhering problems develop during the forming operation.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.