Abstract: A material hermetically seals two members. One member may be titanium or a titanium alloy and the other member may be a noble metal such as platinum. The seal is resistant to acids and alkalis and is substantially impervious to shocks resulting from mechanical forces or abrupt changes in temperature. The material includes a pair of fluxes having different melting temperatures and oxides of zinc and zirconium. The oxides of zinc and zirconium become crystallized at the surface between one of the members and the material. An oxygen valence bond is also produced between the material and such member. The material becomes progressively amorphous with progressive distances from such member. The material is formed by progressive heatings for at least a pair of periods of time insufficient to crystallize all of the material and by rapid coolings of the material after each of such heatings.

Abstract: First and second members spaced from each other are hermetically sealed by fused insulating materials. The insulating materials are partially amorphous and partially crystalline. The insulating materials have substantially identical characteristics. However, a first one of the insulating materials is more crystalline than a second one of the insulating materials.A third insulating material may also be included and may be more crystalline than the first insulating material. The first, second and third crystalline materials may have substantially identical compositions.The second insulating material may have nonwetting characteristics relative to the second member. This causes the second insulating member to have a domed configuration to increase the length of the dielectric leakage path. The third insulating material may be spaced from the second insulating material and may be provided with a flat surface to receive other members in abutting relationship.

Abstract: First and second members spaced from each other are hermetically sealed by fused insulating materials. The insulating materials are partially amorphous and partially crystalline. The insulating materials have substantially identical characteristics. However, a first one of the insulating materials is more crystalline than a second one of the insulating materials.A third insulating material may also be included and may be more crystalline than the first insulating material. The first, second and third crystalline materials may have substantially identical compositions.The second insulating material may have nonwetting characteristics relative to the second member. This causes the second insulating member to have a domed configuration to increase the length of the dielectric leakage path. The third insulating material may be spaced from the second insulating material and may be provided with a flat surface to receive other members in abutting relationship.

Abstract: A material hermetically seals two members. One member may be titanium or a titanium alloy and the other member may be a noble metal such as platinum. The seal is resistant to acids and alkalis and is substantially impervious to shocks resulting from mechanical forces or abrupt changes in temperature. The material includes a pair of fluxes having different melting temperatures and a stuffing material including the oxides of zinc and zirconium. The oxides of zinc and zirconium become crystallized at the surface between one of the members and the material. An oxygen valence bond is also produced between the material and such member. The material is more amorphous at the boundary with the second member than at positions removed from such member. The material is formed by progressive heatings for at least a pair of periods of time insufficient to crystallize all of the material and by rapid coolings of the material after each of such heatings.

Abstract: Acid and alkali oxides are smelted for an extended period of time at a first elevated temperature above their melting temperatures. The smelted mixture is then quenched in water and fritted. The fritted mixture is then disposed between a pair of members which are to be hermetically sealed relative to each other. The fritted mixture is then at least partially fused in an oxygen atmosphere at a second temperature below the first temperature for a relatively short period of time. The at least partially fused mixture is then rapidly cooled in air. In this way, the mixture is provided with a partially amorphous state and a partially crystalline state. The crystals in the mixture are disposed primarily at the borders of at least a particular one of the members to be sealed.The mixture hermetically seals the two members, is resistant to acids and alkalis and inhibits the propagation of cracks.

Abstract: Acid and alkali oxides are smelted for an extended period of time at a first elevated temperature above their melting temperatures. The smelted mixture is then quenched in water and fritted. The fritted mixture is then disposed between a pair of members which are to be hermetically sealed relative to each other. The fritted mixture is then at least partially fused in an oxygen atmosphere at a second temperature below the first temperature for a relatively short period of time. The at least partially fused mixture is then rapidly cooled in air. In this way, the mixture is provided with a partially amorphous state and a partially crystalline state. The crystals in the mixture are disposed primarily at the borders of at least a particular one of the members to be sealed.The mixture hermetically seals the two members, is resistant to acids and alkalis and inhibits the propagation of cracks.