Abstract: A method is disclosed for mechanically bonding a metal component to a ceramic material, comprising providing a metal component comprising an anchor material attached to at least a first portion of one surface of the metal component; providing a ceramic material having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the ceramic material defines at least one conduit extending from the first surface to the second surface, wherein the at least one conduit has a first open end defined by the first surface, a second open end defined by the second surface, a continuous sidewall and a cross sectional area; positioning the ceramic material such that at least a portion of the at least one conduit is in overlying registration with at least a portion of the anchor material; and applying a bonding agent into at least a portion of the at least one conduit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing display quality glass sheets are provided in which the batch materials for making the sheets are melted in a furnace whose glass-engaging surfaces comprise zirconia (ZrO2). By using molybdenum electrodes, instead of the conventional tin electrodes, to electrically heat the molten glass, the wear rate per unit area of the furnace's glass-engaging, zirconia-containing surfaces are reduced by more than 50%, thus reducing zirconia levels (solid+dissolved) in the finished glass by at least a similar amount. As a consequence of this reduction, rejection rates of finished glass sheets are lowered, which is of particular value in the production of glass sheets of large dimensions, as desired by display manufacturers and other users of such sheets.

Abstract: A mold for shaping glass can be made by a method that includes providing a mold body having a shaping surface comprising at least about 90% nickel and modifying the composition of the shaping surface of the mold body by exposing the shaping surface to an oxidizing heat treatment. The oxidizing heat treatment may include a ramping heat treatment, a fixed heat treatment, or both the ramping heat treatment and the fixed heat treatment. The ramping heat treatment may include increasing a heating temperature at a rate from about 20° C./hour to about 500° C./hour to a temperature from about 700° C. to about 1000° C. The fixed heat treatment may include holding the heating temperature from about 700° C. to about 1000° C. for a holding time of at least about 5 minutes.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to high purity nickel molds for use in forming three dimensional glass substrates, along with methods of making three dimensional glass substrates. The mold compositions minimize imperfections in the formed glass substrates providing optical quality shaped glass articles for use in electronics applications.

Abstract: Low-carbon monolithic refractories are provided. Methods of manufacturing glass employing low-carbon monolithic refractories are also provided. Methods and apparatuses for glass manufacture for reducing the formation of carbon dioxide blisters during glass manufacture are also provided.

Abstract: Hydrogen may permeate into an interior space of an article in response to molten glass being in contact with the outer surface of the article. The permeation may be restricted by having a fluid in a length of the interior space. The fluid may be in contact with the inner surface of the article, the fluid may fill at least about 33% of the volume of the length of the interior space, and the fluid may provide a predetermined partial pressure of hydrogen. Features may be provided for causing the fluid to flow within the interior space.

Abstract: An apparatus used in the production of glass, and a process for minimizing the inclusion of platinum group metal particulate into molten glass during glass production are provided, the apparatus comprising a first conduit formed of a platinum group metal, the first conduit comprising a top wall portion, a side wall portion, an outer surface, and a length, and a heat sink formed of a platinum group metal and affixed continuosly to the outer surface and extending longitudinally along at least part of the length of the first conduit proximate the top wall portion for the dissipation of heat therefrom, wherein the inner volume has a maximum temperature, T(max inside top wall), and the inner surface proximate the heat sink has a lower temperature, T(min inside top wall), and wherein platinum group metal particulate formed during the production process will deposit on the inner surface area of the top wall portion not in contact with the molten glass.

Abstract: A precious metal structure which has an internal gas permeable membrane is described herein for a glass manufacturing vessel configured to have molten glass flow therein. The internal gas permeable membrane can be supplied with an atmosphere of gas (or gases) to control the flux of hydrogen into our out of the molten glass or otherwise improve the production of the molten glass. In this manner, the undesirable detrimental reactions that can occur at the interface of the molten glass and precious metal interface which can cause defects in the molten glass such as bubbles or solid inclusions can be stopped or at least substantially reduced.

Abstract: Stirring apparatuses for stirring molten glass are disclosed. The method includes stirring a molten glass with a stirrer comprising a layer containing at least about 50% iridium. An apparatus comprising an iridium-containing layer is also presented. In one embodiment, an apparatus for stirring molten glass includes a cylinder comprising a bore. A stirrer may be disposed in the bore. The stirrer may include a platinum or platinum alloy shaft coaxial with the cylinder. A plurality of impellers may project radially from the shaft into close proximity of a wall of the cylinder. Each impeller may include an arcuate distal end portion farthest from the shaft. The distal end portion of each impeller consists of iridium or an iridium alloy and the remainder of the impeller consists of platinum or a platinum alloy. The stirring apparatuses reduce metal loss from the refractory metal of the stirring apparatus.

Abstract: Stirring apparatuses for stirring molten glass are disclosed. The method includes stirring a molten glass with a stirrer comprising a layer containing at least about 50% iridium. An apparatus comprising an iridium-containing layer is also presented. In one embodiment, an apparatus for stirring molten glass includes a cylinder comprising a bore. A stirrer may be disposed in the bore. The stirrer may include a platinum or platinum alloy shaft coaxial with the cylinder. A plurality of impellers may project radially from the shaft into close proximity of a wall of the cylinder. Each impeller may include an arcuate distal end portion farthest from the shaft. The distal end portion of each impeller consists of iridium or an iridium alloy and the remainder of the impeller consists of platinum or a platinum alloy. The stirring apparatuses reduce metal loss from the refractory metal of the stirring apparatus.

Abstract: Stirring apparatuses for stirring molten glass are disclosed. The method includes stirring a molten glass with a stirrer comprising a layer containing at least about 50% iridium. An apparatus comprising an iridium-containing layer is also presented. In one embodiment, an apparatus for stirring molten glass includes a cylinder comprising a bore. A stirrer may be disposed in the bore. The stirrer may include a platinum or platinum alloy shaft coaxial with the cylinder. A plurality of impellers may project radially from the shaft into close proximity of a wall of the cylinder. Each impeller may include an arcuate distal end portion farthest from the shaft. The distal end portion of each impeller consists of iridium or an iridium alloy and the remainder of the impeller consists of platinum or a platinum alloy. The stirring apparatuses reduce metal loss from the refractory metal of the stirring apparatus.

Abstract: A process and device for abating air-borne particles during glass melt handling processes by using electrostatic precipitation. The invention is effective in abating both precious metal inclusions and non-metallic inclusions in the produced glass.

Abstract: A platinum welded structures are provided with a first oxide dispersion strengthened platinum or platinum alloy portion and a second oxide dispersion strengthened platinum or platinum alloy portion welded to the first platinum or platinum alloy portion. The second portion is welded to the first portion with a weld joint including a platinum or platinum alloy weld bead. The weld bead further includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of Zr, ZrO2 and rhodium at a level greater than the first and second portions. A method of making a platinum welded structure is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thermocouple circuit that exhibits reduced levels of thermocouple drift. The thermocouple is generally comprised of first and second thermoelectric elements formed of first and second thermoelectric materials, respectively. The first and second thermoelectric elements are coupled to an electrically conductive substrate through intermediate first and second tab elements, respectively. The first and second tab elements are preferably formed of the respective first and second thermoelectric materials, and coupled to the substrate in a spaced apart configuration such that the first and second tab elements, are not physically coupled one to the other. Also disclosed are systems and methods for the preparation and use of the thermocouple circuits disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method of delivering molten material from a delivering pipe having an outlet end to a receiving vessel having an inlet end is provided. The method includes arranging the delivering pipe and the receiving vessel in such a way that a gap exists between the outlet end of the delivering pipe and the inlet end of the receiving vessel and the molten material can exit the outlet end of the delivering pipe and enter the inlet end of the receiving vessel without spilling over the inlet end of the receiving vessel. Molten material is delivered to the delivering pipe and allowed to flow from the delivering pipe into the receiving vessel.

Abstract: A process and device for abating air-borne particles during glass melt handling processes by using electrostatic precipitation. The invention is effective in abating both precious metal inclusions and non-metallic inclusions in the produced glass.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for manufacturing glass sheets that comprise the use of platinum group metal alloy or metal-alloy-clad vessels or conduits having alloy compositions including oxidizable species capable of undergoing redox reactions with molten glass components to suppress oxygen blister formation at glass contact surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a method of reducing contamination of a glass melt by volatilized precious metal oxides that may condense on the stirrer shaft of a stirring vessel and fall back into the glass melt, by heating the shaft. In one embodiment, the stirrer shaft includes an interior cavity and a heating element disposed within the cavity. The heating element heats the shaft to a temperature sufficient to prevent volatilized materials from condensing on the surfaces of the shaft.

Abstract: A method of forming an oxide glass including heating a glass melt having a ?—OH concentration of at least about 0.35 in a vessel comprising a metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, molybdenum, palladium, rhodium, and alloys thereof, there being an interface present between the vessel and the glass, and controlling a partial pressure of hydrogen in an atmosphere in contact with an outside surface of the vessel in an amount such that hydrogen permeation blisters form in a region of the glass adjacent the glass-vessel interface.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for mechanically bonding a metal component to a ceramic material, comprising attaching an anchor material to at least a portion of one surface of the metal component, and then applying the ceramic material to at least a portion of the one surface of the metal component, such that after the ceramic material solidifies, the anchor material is substantially embedded in at least a portion of the ceramic material, thereby forming a mechanical bond between the metal component and the ceramic material via the anchor material. Also disclosed is an article comprising a metal component and a ceramic material mechanically bonded thereto through an anchor material attached to at least a portion of the metal component.