Alumina refractories and methods of treatment
AssigneeCorning Incorporated
InventorRobert S. Pavlik, Jr.
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Abstract
Methods for improving the strength of alumina refractory materials are disclosed. The method involves exposing the alumina material to a halogen gas. The treated materials can be used in furnaces for producing fused silica optical members.
Claims16
A method of improving the strength of an alumina refractory material comprising exposing the alumina refractory material to a halogen gas by flowing the halogen gas into a furnace containing the refractory material in the presence of a reducing agent at a temperature between 1000° C. and 1400° C., wherein the exposure to the halogen gas reduces metallic impurities in the material.
A method of improving the strength of an alumina refractory material comprising exposing the refractory material to chlorine gas at a temperature exceeding 1000° C. and for a time exceeding one hour, wherein the exposure improves the four point bend strength of the material by at least 50%.
A method of improving the strength of an alumina refractory material alumina refractory material comprising the step of exposing the alumina refractory material to a halogen gas, wherein the exposing step improves the four point bend strength of the material by at least 50%.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.