Abstract: An inorganic cement mixture, capable of being thermally foamed in situ, consists essentially by weight of 8-20% of crystalline hydraulic cement, 22-35% of a hydraulic cement in the form of a glass powder, and 45-70% quaternary ammonium silicate solution. The mixture can be set as a cement and thermally foamed to unite two bodies and serve as a spacer and support to maintain them in spaced relation.

Abstract: A laser beam is used to spiral, or otherwise remove a portion of the resistance material from, a resistance film on a glass substrate. The glass has a radiation absorber incorporated in its composition to minimize transmission of the laser beam through the glass.

Abstract: Glasses are disclosed that have a high refractive index on the order of 1.7 or greater, a low density on the order of 3 gm./cm..sup.3, good chemical durability and a dispersive index on the order of 40 or more. These glasses belong to a CaO--La.sub.2 O.sub.3 --TiO.sub.2 --B.sub.2 O.sub.3 --SiO.sub.2 family and are particularly useful in strong correction ophthalmic lenses and space optics.

Abstract: A method is disclosed wherein high purity fused silica is produced from a liquid flowable form of a silica slurry or sol and the refractoriness of the fused silica is enhanced by homogeneously doping the silica with aluminum and/or titanium oxide, preferably in conjunction with elemental silicon.

Abstract: A method of densifying a fumed metal oxide is disclosed wherein the metal oxide is converted to a flowable sol and then dried to form a fragmented solid which is calcined. The calcined oxide may be wet milled to provide a slip for casting articles such as fused silica crucibles used in melting silicon.

Abstract: A method is disclosed wherein high purity fused silica is produced from a liquid flowable form of a silica slurry or sol and the refractoriness of the fused silica is enhanced by homogeneously doping the silica with elemental silicon.

Abstract: A method is disclosed wherein high purity fused silica is produced from a liquid flowable form of a silica slurry or sol and the refractoriness of the fused silica is enhanced by homogeneously doping the silica with a selected metal oxide in conjunction with elemental silicon.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of making composite glass tubing, and a molten glass feeding apparatus uniquely designed to carry out such method. The feeder apparatus comprises concentrically-arranged cylindrical containers, a blow tube located within the central container, and a plug member mounted on the base of the blow tube. The bottom portion of each cylindrical wall is downwardly and inwardly directed to provide restricted annular bottom openings. The bottom edges of the cylindrical walls and of the plug are positioned in such relation to each other that orifices are provided through which annular streams of molten glass may flow and contact adjacent streams in the fluid state, thereby forming composite glass tubing having at least three layers.

Abstract: A reed switch construction is disclosed in which the glass envelope has thermal expansion characteristics matching those of the reeds below the glass setting point, has relatively high electrical resistivity and low devitrification tendencies, and is, in percent by weight, composed essentially of 53-59% SiO.sub.2, 3-7% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, 20-25% Na.sub.2 O + K.sub.2 O with the K.sub.2 O:Na.sub.2 O ratio being greater than 1:1 on a weight basis, 7-10% BaO, 2-6% ZnO and 1-5% Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3.

Abstract: A reed switch construction is described embodying magnetic metal reeds and an improved glass envelope. The envelope is drawn from an infrared absorbing glass having a steep viscosity curve which permits forming a seal between the metal reeds and the glass envelope with infrared heating at a temperature sufficiently low to avoid damaging the reeds.