Abstract: A new lead-free glass flux suitable for the decoration of ceramic materials comprises SiO2, Al2O3, B2O3 and Li2O as essential components. The lead-free glass flux is a glass mixture in which a glass composition having a relatively low coefficient of thermal expansion and a glass composition having a relatively high coefficient of thermal expansion and a relatively high chemical resistance are mixed at an appropriate ratio.

Abstract: New decorating materials suitable for the decoration of ceramic materials comprise a lead-free glass flux and at least one pigment. The glass flux comprises two lead-free glass compositions. One of the two glass compositions comprises, in weight percent, SiO2: 45 to 60%, Al2O3: 5 to 20%, B2O3: 15 to 30%, and one or more alkali metal oxides: 5 to 10%, provided that Li2O is contained in an amount of 2% or more, with the proviso that the total amount of said oxides is 90% or more of the total weight of the composition. The other of the two glass compositions comprises, in weight percent, SiO2: 60 to 75%, Al203: 5 to 20%, at least one of MgO, CaO, ZnO: 5 to 20% in total, and one or more alkali metal oxides: 0.5 to 5%, provided that Li2O is contained in an amount of 0.5% or more, with the proviso that the total amount of said oxides is 90% or more of the total weight of the composition.

Abstract: A new lead-free glass flux suitable for the decoration of ceramic materials comprises SiO2, Al2O3, B2O3 and Li2O as essential components. The lead-free glass flux is a glass mixture in which a glass composition having a relatively low coefficient of thermal expansion and a glass composition having a relatively high coefficient of thermal expansion and a relatively high chemical resistance are mixed at an appropriate ratio.

Abstract: New decorating materials suitable for the decoration of ceramic materials comprise a lead-free glass flux and at least one pigment. The glass flux comprises two lead-free glass compositions. One of the two glass compositions comprises, in weight percent, SiO2: 45 to 60%, Al2O3: 5 to 20%, B2O3: 15 to 30%, and one or more alkali metal oxides: 5 to 10%, provided that Li2O is contained in an amount of 2% or more, with the proviso that the total amount of said oxides is 90% or more of the total weight of the composition. The other of the two glass compositions comprises, in weight percent, SiO2: 60 to 75%, Al203: 5 to 20%, at least one of MgO, CaO, ZnO: 5 to 20% in total, and one or more alkali metal oxides: 0.5 to 5%, provided that Li2O is contained in an amount of 0.5% or more, with the provisothat the total amount of said oxides is 90% or more of the total weight of the composition.

Abstract: Surface-decorated utensil includes a ceramic ware and a plurality of decorative laminar elements of noble metal on its surface. As an alternative, the spacing between neighboring laminar elements is not less than 0.2 mm and the maximum length of each laminar element is not more than 8.5 mm. As another alternative, the spacing between neighboring laminar elements is not less than 10 mm and the maximum length of each laminar element is not more than 12 mm. In addition, the laminar elements are coated with a frit layer. The surface-decorated utensil is not damaged when used in an electronic range, while it is superior in chemical durability and coloration.