Abstract: There is disclosed a composite body that is electrically insulating, and that is composed of metal particles dispersed in a continuous glassy matrix as a second phase. The metal particles are directionally anisotropic generally paralleling a predetermined plane through the body. This permits good thermal conductivity, while retaining the electrical insulating character of the glass, thus providing improved packaging for electronic components. A method of forming the composite body is also disclosed, as are methods of creating improved electronic packaging utilizing the composite material body.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to the production of highly polarizing glasses, i.e., the glasses exhibit dichroic ratios up to 40 and higher, from silver-containing glasses that are characterized as being phase separable or, more preferably, as being photochromic because of the presence of silver halide particles therein, i.e., particles selected from the group of AgCl, AgBr, and AgI. The inventive method contemplates two general steps:(a) the glasses are elongated under stress such that the glass phases and/or silver halide particles are elongated and aligned in the direction of the stress; and(b) the elongated glasses are heat treated in a reducing environment at temperatures below the annealing point of the glass but above about 300.degree. C. to reduce a portion of the silver ions in the glass to metallic silver which is deposited in at least one of the glass phases and/or along the phase boundaries of the glass phases and/or deposited upon the silver halide particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of polarizing glasses from silver-containing glasses characterized by the presence of metallic silver particles therein and/or by being photochromic through the inclusion of silver halide particles therein selected from the group of AgCl, AgBr, and AgI. The method contemplates extruding the glass at a temperature between the annealing and softening points of the glass at a sufficiently high applied pressure to elongate the metallic silver and/or silver halide particles to an aspect ratio of at least 2:1 and up to 30:1 and greater. The extrudate is cooled in a manner to prevent the elongated particles from resuming their original shape. Dichroic ratios of up to 5.0 are achievable where the elongated particles exhibit an oblate configuration.