Abstract: This invention relates to the fabrication of three-layer composite lenses especially suited for ophthalmic applications. The lenses comprise a thin layer of an inorganic glass, desirably photochromic glass, an organic plastic, and an organic adhesive exhibiting flexibility and can be cured at temperatures in the vicinity of room temperature. In general, the linear coefficient of expansion of the glass ranges between about 60-120.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree.C. and that of the plastic between about 200-700.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree.C.

Abstract: There is disclosed a family of low dielectric, copper-exuding, boroaluminosilicate glasses particularly adapted to use in forming substrates for electronic devices such as integrated circuits. The glasses are capable of exuding copper oxide, have a coefficient of thermal expansion of 30-35.times.10.sup.-7 at 300.degree. C., a dielectric constant not over 5.0 at 100 KHz, a loss tangent not over 0.003 at 100 KHz and consist essentially, in percent by weight, of 56-64% SiO.sub.2, 18-25% B.sub.2 O.sub.3, 3-11% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, 0-2% CaO, 0-2% Li.sub.2 O, 0-1% K.sub.2 O, the Li.sub.2 O+CaO being 1.5-3% and 1-20% CuO.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method for heat treating a sheet of a potentially photochromic glass to cause the growth of silver halide crystals therein which impart photochromic properties thereto, wherein the heat treated sheet will be essentially free from thermal deformation and surface defects, and the photochromic properties exhibited therein will be essentially uniform across the area of the sheet. The method involves first placing a sheet of potentially photochromic glass on top of a sheet of carrier glass that exhibits a softening point at least 50.degree. C. higher than the temperature at which the potentially photochromic glass will be heat treated, and thereafter subjecting the stacked sheets to the heat treatment temperature desired for growing silver halide crystals in the glass.

Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation of glass-ceramic articles in which potassium fluorrichterite and/or a related fluormica constitutes the predominant crystal phase(s). The precursor glasses can be crystallized in situ very rapidly and exhibit very little thermal deformation during the crystallization heat treatment. The base glasses are essentially free of Li.sub.2 O and consist essentially, expressed in terms of weight percent on the oxide basis, of:______________________________________ SiO.sub.2 61-70 Na.sub.2 O 0.5-3 BaO 0-3.5 Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 2.75-7 K.sub.2 O 2.5-5.5 P.sub.2 O.sub.5 0-2.5 MgO 11-16 Na.sub.2 O + K.sub.2 O <6.8 CaO 4.75-9 F 2-3.

Abstract: There is disclosed a natural phyllosilicate and, in solid solution therewith, at least one additional silicate or spinel phase such as beta-quartz, beta-spodumene, biotite, donathite, magnetite and Ca.sub.2 MgFe.sub.2 O.sub.6. There is also disclosed a method of producing such solid solution by introducing a phyllosilicate into a salt bath to effect an ion exchange between the salt of the bath and the phyllosilicate and subjecting the ion-exchanged phyllosilicate to a thermal treatment to develop a new phase which forms a solid solution.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the production of self-glazing gas-ceramic articles consisting essentially of very fine-grained cubic BPO.sub.4 crystals and very small gas-containing bubbles uniformly distributed with a SiO.sub.2 -rich residual glassy matrix, the gas within the bubbles consisting predominantly of hydrogen. The inventive articles prepared in three basic steps:(1) melting a batch for a glass consisting essentially, expressed in terms of weight percent on the oxide basis, of 30-60% SiO.sub.2, 10-40% B.sub.2 O.sub.3, 15-45% P.sub.2 O.sub.5, and up to 20% total of at least one compound in the indicated proportion selected from the group consisting of 5-15% BN, 5-10% Si, 5-10% SiC, and 10-20% Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 ;(2) cooling the melt and shaping a glass body therefrom; and(3) heating the glass body between about 900.degree.-1050.degree. C.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the production of glass-ceramic articles wherein a NZP-type crystals constitutes essentially the sole crystal phase. The inventive articles are prepared by heat treating precursor glass articles with compositions having the stoichiometry characterized by the formula A.sub.0-4 B.sub.2 (XO.sub.4).sub.3 wherein A represents at least one monovalent or divalent cation selected from the group consisting of Zn, Mg, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Ca, Cd, Sr, Ba, Tb, Li, Na, and K, B represents at least one trivalent, tetravalent, or pentavalent cation selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ti, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, In, Sn, Y, and a RE, and X represents P cations which may be partially replaced by Si cations, and the cation ratio B:X is essentially 2:3.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for accelerating the burnout of organic material from a glass, glass-ceramic, or ceramic body where the burnout is conducted in a gaseous, essentially non-oxidizing atmosphere. The invention comprises incorporating very minute amounts of a metal-containing material into the glass, glass-ceramic, or ceramic body to act as a catalyst in the burnout process. Metals operable as catalysts include Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir, and Pt.

Abstract: There are disclosed gels composed of hydrated phyllosilicates combined with a lattice expanding agent selected from the group consisting of a primary aminocarboxy acid, lysine orotate, and glycylglycine. Both organic and inorganic additions, as well as ion exchange products, are disclosed. The gels, with or without the additions, may be polymerized and may be formed or shaped. Also disclosed are methods for generating the gels and for treating the gels generated.

Abstract: A method of forming a fiber-reinforced, glass or glass-ceramic, elongated composite is described wherein several multifiber lengths are impregnated with matrix material, woven or twisted to form a fabric network, the impregnating matrix material softened, and the network subjected to a stretching action along the central axis of the fiber network to collapse the network and consolidate it to a solid composite.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for preparing a lens or a lens array and apparatus for carrying out the method. The method comprises directing, in line of sight in a vacuum, the vapor of a substance, which is solid and transparent at ambient temperature, from a source of that vapor through a hole in a mask to form a deposit on a substrate. The mask is so positioned between the vapor source and the substrate that obscuration by the solid portions of the mask around the hole causes the deposit to assume a curved surface and function as a lens.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of dewatering porous 96% silica glass by impregnating the glass pores with an aqueous solution of a water-soluble, nitrogen-containing, organic compound that is thermally decomposable to produce reactive gaseous nitrogen species, and then thermally decomposing the impregnating compound to yield nitrogen which combines with the glass to oust hydroxyl group. A preferred material is guanidine hydrochloride, and a non-oxidizing atmosphere is maintained during heating to avoid nitrogen oxidation. The nitrided porous glass may subsequently be thermally consolidated to a non-porous body.

Abstract: There is disclosed a delaminated phyllosilicate particle of less than 1000 .ANG. thickness and having a coating of a transition metal on its surface, the metal being selected from the transition elements and groups 3a, 4a, 5a and 6a of the Periodic Table. Also disclosed is a method of producing such particle by an ion exchange treatment coupled with a reactive vapor phase/thermal treatment. A ceramic-metal composite composed of such metal coated particles compressed in a solid body is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with the production of a hard, tough, thermally conductive ceramic cutting tool insert consisting essentially of a zirconia alloy in a hard refractory ceramic insert. The ceramic cutting tool insert exhibits performance conducive to use in turning operations and/or milling operations.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method for thermal pressing a glass-impregnated preform to create a composite body with a glass or glass-ceramic matrix. The method involves contacting the preform during pressing with members prepared from a material exhibiting significant impedance to heat flow in order to delay cooling of the preform during consolidation. The preferred preform consists of a stack of glass-impregnated plies having ceramic fibers and/or whiskers entrained therein.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with the production of hard, porous, sintered bodies consisting essentially of Al and Fe with, optionally, Sn and/or Cu and/or Cr. The mechanism of the invention relies upon the presence of a small amount of Mg and/or Ca to act as a getter for oxygen. In the preferred embodiment, particles of the metals can be extruded into honeycomb structures which can then be fired in the presence of Mg and/or Ca to yield sound high cell density structures of controlled porosity.

Abstract: This invention relates to the production of lightly tinted, photochromic glasses having base compositions consisting essentially, in weight percent, of______________________________________ SiO.sub.2 46-60 SrO 0-6 B.sub.2 O.sub.3 16-28 BaO 0-6 Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 4-11 P.sub.2 O.sub.5 0-5 ZrO.sub.2 2-6 TiO.sub.2 0-3 Li.sub.2 O 1.5-5 Ag 0.08-0.18 Na.sub.2 O 0-6 Cl 0.06-0.26 K.sub.2 O 2.5-9 Br 0.08-0.18 MgO 0-3.5 CuO 0.0001-0.0020 CaO 0-6 ______________________________________Glass color can be adjusted by introducing in excess of the above base composition, at least one of the following colorants in the indicated proportions of ______________________________________ Pd 0.00003-0.00015 Er.sub.2 O.sub.3 0.2-1.3 SnO.sub.2 0.05-0.3 Nd.sub.2 O.sub.3 0-0.7 Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 0.05-0.15 Co.sub.3 O.sub.4 0-0.0080 NiO 0.005-0.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the production of SiC whisker- and/or fiber-reinforced, internally-nucleated glass-ceramic matrix composite articles consisting essentially of 0.5-60% by weight SiC whiskers and/or 15-70% by volume ceramic fibers substantially uniformly distributed in a glass-ceramic matrix consisting essentially, in weight percent on the oxide basis, of 16-20%, CaO, 38.5-46% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, 35-42% SiO.sub.2, and up to 10% total of at least one nucleating agent in the indicated proportion selected from the group consisting of 0.1-3% Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3, 0.25-3% HfO.sub.2, 2-5% MoO.sub.3, 0.25-3% Nb.sub.2 O.sub.5, 0.25-3% Ta.sub.2 O.sub.5, 0.25-3% WO.sub.3, and 1-10% ZrO.sub.2, wherein Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 is present in an amount which is at least 5 mole percent and up to 50 mole percent in excess of that present in stoichiometric triclinic anorthite, and wherein the predominant crystal phases in the glass-ceramic are triclinic anorthite and mullite and/or .alpha.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3. Up to 1.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the production of ceramic alloys consisting essentially of ZrO.sub.2, titania, and yttria or rare earth oxides such as gadolinia, ytterbia, neodymia, and ceria. Mole % concentration values as low as 0.25 mole % for yttria have been found to provide a hard and tough ceramic alloy in the presence of the titania-zirconia body. These compositions have been found to produce effective hard and tough ceramic bodies when mixed with refractory fibers and/or whiskers and hard refractory ceramics.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the production of essentially lead-free glass compositions demonstrating softening points below 500.degree. C. and coefficients of thermal expansion somewhat below 88.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree.C. The glasses consist essentially, in weight percent on the oxide basis, of______________________________________ Li.sub.2 O 1-4 Na.sub.2 O + K.sub.2 O 0-12 ZnO 20-30 CaO 0-7 B.sub.2 O.sub.3 32-42 SrO 0-10 Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 2-5 BaO 0-15 ZrO.sub.2 2-6 CaO + SrO + BaO 0-15 P.sub.2 O.sub.5 6-10 V.sub.2 O.sub.5 0-22 Na.sub.2 O 0-8 Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 0-16 K.sub.2 O 0-8.40 V.sub.2 O.sub.5 + Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 5-25 ______________________________________wherein a minimum of 5% V.sub.2 O.sub.5 +Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 is required in the presence of a least 2% Na.sub.2 O or 5% K.sub.2 O, and a minimum of 9% V.sub.2 O.sub.5 +Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 is required in the essential absence of Na.sub.2 O or K.sub.2 O, but in the presence of at least 3% CaO or 6% SrO or 9% BaO.