Abstract: Provided is a system including a structural member for separating two environments that have different temperatures and a method of manufacturing the structural member. The system includes a barrier constructed with a plurality of the structural members. The structural member includes a core and a thermal barrier layer on at least a portion thereof. The thermal barrier layer is positionable between the two environments such that the structural member impedes the flow of heat and/or the flow of sound through the structural member and may improve a building's energy efficiency, occupancy comfort, and commercial viability.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a technique for fusing self-fluxing metallic coatings on non-cylindrical objects without the need to conduct the fuse operation in a vacuum furnace or some other type of protective environment. The technique consists of first applying the self-fluxing coating to the surface, then optionally applying a ceramic coating on top of the self-fluxing coating. The object is then submerged into a vessel containing a low-melting inert material. The aggregate is then heated, and as the glass becomes molten, it encases the object and protects it from oxidation. As heating continues, the fusing temperature is reached and the self-fluxing alloy becomes molten. The ceramic coating encases the self-fluxing alloy and acts as a mold. When fusing is complete, the aggregate is then slowly cooled to ambient temperature. The glass frit and the ceramic shell are then removed, and one is left with an object coated with a uniform thickness of a dense adherent fused coating on the surface of the object.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a technique for fusing self-fluxing metallic coatings on non-cylindrical objects without the need to conduct the fuse operation in a vacuum furnace or some other type of protective environment. The technique consists of first applying the self-fluxing coating to the surface, then optionally applying a ceramic coating on top of the self-fluxing coating. The object is then submerged into a vessel containing a low-melting inert material. The aggregate is then heated, and as the glass becomes molten, it encases the object and protects it from oxidation. As heating continues, the fusing temperature is reached and the self-fluxing alloy becomes molten. The ceramic coating encases the self-fluxing alloy and acts as a mold. When fusing is complete, the aggregate is then slowly cooled to ambient temperature. The glass frit and the ceramic shell are then removed, and one is left with an object coated with a uniform thickness of a dense adherent fused coating on the surface of the object.