Abstract: A method for producing sodium-containing glasses, by a vapor deposition process wherein a vapor mixture containing a sodium fluoroalkoxide compound is reacted to provide a particulate sodium-containing vapor deposition product which can be sintered to a glass.

Abstract: A vapor phase method for the synthesis of MgO--Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 --SiO.sub.2 products, including MgO--Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 --SiO.sub.2 glasses of optical quality, wherein SiCl.sub.4, aluminum halide, and organometallic magnesium vapors are oxidized by flame oxidation and the oxides collected and sintered to glass or ceramic products, is described. A added shield gas stream is provided during flame oxidation of the vapors to reduce or prevent MgCl.sub.2 by-product formation at the burner and in the product.

Abstract: A continuous method for making mica film by electrophoresis wherein mica is deposited on an endless moving electrode surface from a mica sol, removed from the sol, dried, and finally stripped from the electrode, and apparatus for use in practicing the method, are described.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with the production of porous, essentially alkali metal-free amorphous bodies demonstrating excellent thermal insulating properties and being capable of long term use at temperatures up to 1000.degree. C. The bodies exhibit an average pore diameter of between about 100A-10,000A with at least 80% of the pores coming within .+-.20% of the average pore diameter value. The bodies consist essentially, as expressed in weight percent on the oxide basis, of 0.25-5% of an infrared radiation absorbing metal oxide, 1-10% of an infrared radiation scattering metal oxide, and the remainder SiO.sub.2.

Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation of silica-containing particulate materials and monolithic structures exhibiting high porosity with exceptionally uniform pore size. The bodies are produced through gelation of aqueous alkali metal silicate and/or colloidal silica solutions, optionally contaiing dispersed particulate phases, with organic reagents followed by a leaching step. Uniformity of pore size is achieved through careful control of such variables as the ratio of alkali metal silicate to colloidal silica solutions, the concentration of silica, the amount of dispersed phase employed, and the like.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to the production of high purity fused silica bodies by means of a three-step process. In the first step, various specifically-defined ratios of aqueous alkali metal silicates with colloidal silica or quaternary ammonium silicate are gelled with certain organic reagents. In the second step, the gelled silicate mass is leached in weakly acid solutions to yield bodies of very high porosity, i.e., greater than 50%, with mean pore diameters ranging between about 400A-4000A, but wherein the pore diameters are extraordinarily uniform within a particular body. Lastly, the microporous body is fired briefly at temperatures above about 1350.degree. C. to consolidate the body to a solid transparent fused silica article having alkali metal contents less than 100 parts per million (PPM). The size of the pores, combined with the exceptional uniformity of pore sizes within an individual unit, is vital to achieve crack-free, homogeneous products.