Abstract: Disclosed are high temperature free-flow mold for the production of near net-shape silica articles and method for the production of near net-shape silica articles. The mold is preferably made of graphite, preferably coated with SiC on the surfaces of the mold cavity. The mold and the process use no or less refractory elastic materials than that disclosed in the prior art, and does not alter or contaminate the glass composition. The mold the process are particularly suitable for the production of high purity silica articles for use in VUV and EUV lithographic devices.

Abstract: Treating cigarette paper with (1) binary combinations of the sodium and potassium salts of a carboxylic acid or (2) binary combinations of an alkali metal chloride and an alkali metal carboxylate provides a means of controlling the static burning rate of cigarettes wrapped in these papers. Burn rate control is functionally implemented by varying (1) the sodium to potassium cation ratio at constant total alkali metal cation weight for the former binary combination and (2) the ratio of the alkali metal cation from the chloride to the alkali metal cation from the carboxylate at constant total alkali metal cation weight for the latter binary combination. This means of burn rate control is effective for cigarette papers containing various inorganic fillers and weighing less then 25 g/m.sup.2 to over 45 g/m.sup.2.