Abstract: An object of the present invention is to facilitate the release of a formed product from a die. A lower die is formed of a die plate, a plurality of cores, a cavity die and a slide plate. In the cavity die, a plurality of first opening portions are formed at the upper side and a second opening portion is formed at the lower surface side. Each of the first opening portion communicates the second opening portion. A core is placed each of the first opening portions. The slide plate is fitted in the second opening portion and supports each core from the lower side. A through-hole is formed in the die plate. The tip of an ejector pin is inserted into the through-hole. The ejector pin is installed in a lower shaft of the machine.

Abstract: A common cage assembly for a mold for a glassware machine having a mold support member. The assembly further includes a first cage member and a second cage member. Each of the cage members is movably mounted adjacent to the mold support member. Each of the cage members has a mold receiving surface.

Abstract: Method of patterning or forming color gradients and/or designs on a glass surface are disclosed. Patterns are formed by depositing a film of metal on at least one surface of the glass; forming a layer of photoresist over the metal; exposing the article to light through a mask which contains a desired pattern; developing the piece to remove the exposed photoresist to reveal the underlying metal; removing the underlying metal to reveal the underlying glass; and removing the unexposed photoresist to reveal the underlying metal. To form color gradients or color patterns, the glass article is further treated in hydrogen at a temperature in the range of 300-600.degree. C. to effect the desired surface coloration.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a synthetic silica glass optical material which exhibits excellent transmittance as well as durability for high output power vacuum ultraviolet rays, being emitted from, for example, ArF excimer lasers and Xe.sub.2 excimer lamps, and to provide a method for producing the same. A synthetic silica glass optical material for high output power vacuum ultraviolet rays made from ultra high purity synthetic silica glass for use in the wavelength region of from 165 to 195 nm, containing OH groups at a concentration of from 5 to 300 wtppm with a fluctuation width in OH group concentration (.DELTA.OH/cm) of 10 wtppm or less, containing hydrogen molecules at a concentration of from 1.times.10.sup.17 to 1.times.10.sup.19 molecule/cm.sup.3 with a fluctuation width in hydrogen molecule concentration (.DELTA.H.sub.2 /cm) of 1.times.10.sup.17 molecule/cm.sup.3 or lower, and containing chlorine at a concentration of 50 wtppm or lower.

Abstract: An excellent quartz glass optical member having stable laser beam resistance, can be obtained by preparing quartz glass in a process having:a first step of subjecting a starting material obtained from silicon halide, alkoxysilane, alkylalkoxysilane, etc. to an oxidizing heat treatment in a temperature range between 600 and 1,500.degree. C., to decrease the hydrogen concentration to 5.times.10.sup.16 molecules/cm.sup.3 or less and at the same time eliminate reducing defects;a second step of subsequently holding the quartz in a hydrogen-containing atmosphere in a temperature range between 200 and 600.degree. C., to establish a hydrogen concentration in the glass of 1.times.10.sup.17 molecules/cm.sup.3 ; anda third step of carrying out a treatment of making the hydrogen concentration of the resultant quartz glass uniform in an atmosphere of air, inert gas, hydrogen, a mixture of hydrogen and inert gas, or a mixture of air and inert gas in a temperature range between 300 and 800.degree. C.

Abstract: Method of making polarizing glass having integral polarizing and non-polarizing regions disclosed. The method involves applying a protective glass/frit material capable of blocking reducing gas to the surface of the glass to form a desired pattern, exposing the glass to a reducing gas atmosphere to render unprotected glass polarizing, and removing the protective glass/frit material to reveal underlying non-polarizing regions.

Abstract: Method of making polarizing glass having integral polarizing and non-polarizing regions is disclosed. The method involves applying a protective glass/frit material capable of blocking reducing gas to the surface of the glass to form a desired pattern, exposing the glass to a reducing gas atmosphere to render unprotected glass polarizing, and removing the protective glass/frit material to reveal underlying non-polarizing regions.

Abstract: A method for producing a glass preform by synthesizing a porous glass preform by a vapor-phase synthesizing method and heating said porous glass preform in a vacuum or reduced-pressure atmosphere so as to consolidate said porous glass preform, which comprises the steps of: a first step of degassing said porous glass preform to thereby remove gas adsorbed or contained therein; a second step of temporarily contracting said porous glass preform at a temperature higher than a temperature in the first step and lower than a consolidation temperature; and a third step of consolidating said porous glass preform at the consolidation temperature; the degassing of said first step is determined in accordance with the bulk density of said porous glass preform.

Abstract: A method and apparatus involving combustion for melting glass. The fuel and oxidizer of the combustion are both supplied in such a way as to spread out the fuel/oxidant contact over time and to increase the volume of the contact. This limits the temperature peaks and reduces No.sub.x emissions. The invention also relates to the glass furnace which implements the method.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an array substrate of a liquid crystal display device where the array substrate comprises a glass substrate and a thin film transistor formed on the glass substrate, the method comprising the steps of, heat-treating the glass substrate at a temperature ranging from (Ts-200.degree. C.) to Ts (Ts: a strain point of glass constituting the glass substrate), and quenching the glass substrate by quenching means which is capable of promoting a cooling of the glass substrate and controlling the cooling rate of the glass substrate.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing a silica glass article comprising the steps of: (1) irradiating a silica glass article with electromagnetic waves to generate defects therein; and (2) immersing the thus irradiated silica glass article in an atmosphere comprising a hydrogen gas, thereby providing the resulting silica glass article with a characteristic that is effective for preventing it substantially from increasing its absorption within an ultraviolet region due to ultraviolet ray irradiation. Also disclosed are a silica glass article or a glass fiber produced according to the manufacturing process.

Abstract: Opaque quartz glass is provided which contains gas bubbles uniformly dispersed therein and is excellent in high-temperature viscosity and heat-insulating property. The opaque quartz glass has a defined apparent density, contains bubbles having a defined average bubble diameter in a defined amount, has a defined total bubble sectional area, generally exhibits a defined linear transmittance at a thickness of 1 mm or larger to projected light of a defined wavelength and contains nitrogen in a defined concentration. The opaque quartz glass is produced by a process comprising packing into a mold a powdery source material of powdery silica having a defined average particle diameter and powdery silicon nitride dispersed therein in a defined amount, heating the powdery source material to one of two first defined temperature ranges (both under vacuum) and further heating the source material up to a second temperature higher than the melting point and not higher than 1900.degree. C.

Abstract: A method for cleaning and recycling protective atmosphere for a float glass facility wherein contaminated protective atmosphere is cooled, preferably while scrubbing out particulates, compressed, and then purified by passage through a bed comprising water selective and hydrogen sulfide selective adsorbents.

Abstract: Cristobalite-containing silica glass is provided wherein .alpha.-cristobalite in the shape of a small sphere or a small, round-edged or sharp-edged, three-dimensional region is dispersed in the silica glass matrix. The diameter of each .alpha.-cristobalite sphere or region is, in the range of 0.1 um to 1000 um, and the content of the .alpha.-cristobalite is at least 10 wt. %. The cristobalite-containing silica glass is produced by heating a mixture of two kinds or more of crystalline silicon dioxide powder with melting points different from each other by 20.degree. C. or more. The mixture contains silicon dioxide having the highest melting point in the range of 10 wt. % to 80 Wt. % and is heated at temperatures ranging from the lowest melting point to a temperature lower than the highest melting point.

Abstract: The electric incandescent lamp has a quartz glass lamp vessel (1) or envelope (4') around the lamp vessel, which has a red coloured dope in the area at the side of the incandescent body (3). The quartz glass with red dope contains samarium.sup.II oxide, aluminium oxide, titanium dioxide, and silicon dioxide, the analysis of the glass in its oxidized form being Sm.sub.2 O.sub.3 1 to 3% by weight, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 up to 3% by weight, TiO.sub.2, rest SiO.sub.2, the molar ratio Al/Sm being at least about 2 and the molar ratio Sm/Ti being from 2 to 8.

Abstract: This patent discloses the composition of germanate glass and a new method for its fabrication. The composition comprises germanate, the oxide of an alkali earth group, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, ZnO, a halides compound eg. CaF.sub.2, CaCl.sub.2 and so on,, and can combine with a series of oxygenous compounds such as silicate, borate, phosphate, arsenate, tellurate and so on, if required. The addition of an alkali oxide could increase the glass formation rate and homogeneity, and the defects of devitrification, cord, knot, and blister are reduced. Its fabricated methods which consist of the reduction pressure melting with the addition of a halide and the drying procedure. The germanate glass body that is made is colorless and transparent and it can increase the transmittance of infrared from 20% to greater than 60% in the wave length 2.75-3.0 .mu.m. The price of producing the germanate glass is decreased and the transmittance of this composition system increased from 5% to 80%.

Abstract: In the press-molding method for producing molded glass bodies, the molding plug remains in contact with the molded glass body in the mold after the molding process until the regions close to the surface have cooled to a temperature at which the molded body at least temporarily possesses sufficient inherent stability to be removed from the mold. To prevent re-heating of the regions near the surface from causing undesirable deformation of the molded glass body, the body is transferred to a cooling station after being removed from the press mold. With this method, the waiting period during which the molded glass body is in the mold is minimized, so this mold is available for another molding process after a very short time. The capability of a glass-molding apparatus operated according to the method of the invention is thus increased.

Abstract: A process for producing a crystallized glass substrate for magnetic disks, including the steps of: (a) holding an amorphous glass plate having a uniform thickness and two principal flat surfaces thereof between a pair of pressing setters in a sandwiched fashion, which pressing setters are non-reactive with the amorphous glass and undeformable during heating for crystallization of the amorphous glass; (b) softening the amorphous glass plate in a sandwiched stack form by heating at a temperature above an annealing point of the amorphous glass, whereby the principal surfaces are fitted onto the flat surfaces of the pressing setters to rectify warping to flatten the amorphous glass plate; and (c) then, increasing the temperature to a crystal growth temperature to grow crystals within the amorphous glass, whereby the amorphous glass plate is crystallized as maintaining its warp-free state, followed by solidifying.

Abstract: A processing system (20,20') for processing sheet glass G includes a housing (22) and at least one slit seal (38i,38i',38e,38e') constructed to permit continuous passage of sheet glass in an efficient manner without fluttering. The slit seal functions as both an ingress slit seal (38i,38i') and as an egress slit seal (38e,38e'). Each slit seal has side seals (100, 102, 112, 114) and preferably has three stages of vacuum drawn by an associated first, second and third vacuum pumps (80,82,84). The sealing method for use in processing sheet glass has particular utility in connection with depositing semiconductor materials for photovoltaics and can be performed on either discrete glass sheets (28) or a continuous glass ribbon (30).

Abstract: A process for producing opaque silica glass in which a quartz raw material grain having a particle size of 10 to 350 .mu.m is filled into a heat resistant mold, the quartz raw material grain is heated in a non-oxidizing atmosphere from a room temperature up to a temperature lower by 50.degree. to 150.degree. C. than a temperature at which the above raw material grain is melted at a temperature-increase speed not exceeding 50.degree. C./minute, then, slowly heated up to a temperature higher by 10.degree. to 80.degree. C. than the temperature at which the quartz raw material grain is melted at the speed of 10.degree. C./minute or less, and the heated quartz raw material grain is further maintained at the temperature higher by 10.degree. to 80.degree. C. than the temperature at which the quartz raw material grain is melted, followed by cooling down to the room temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of high purity fused silica glass which is highly resistant to 248 nm excimer laser-induced optical damage. In particular, this invention relates to a fused silica optical member or blank.

Abstract: A photochromic glass having colorant incorporated in the glass composition to impart a permanent tint, and having its chromaticity point shifted from the blue-green side toward the red side of the white point in the CIE chromaticity coordinate system, and a method of producing such article by heating the article for a sufficient time, and at a sufficient temperature, in a dilute, hydrogen-containing atmosphere to so move the chromaticity point.

Abstract: A method for preparing implant surfaces using gas discharge plasma including conveying the implants to a vacuum chamber. The implants are treated with an inert gas plasma to remove existing surface contamination and oxide layers from the implant surfaces. The implants are treated with an oxidizing plasma or by means of thermal oxidation to reoxidizing the implant surfaces. The implant treatment steps are carried out in a closed space, including a controlled atmosphere and produce a highly accurate and reproducible microstructure, composition, purity, and sterility in the implants.

Abstract: A glassmelting method wherein fuel and oxidant combust in a combustion zone in the upper level of a furnace and shield oxygen is passed over the molten glass surface at a low velocity to form a shield layer between the combustion zone and the molten glass, to counteract the reaction of water vapor, resulting from the combustion, with species within the molten glass, to reduce volatilization of alkali species from the molten glass, and to make the molten glass more oxidizing. Reducing gas may be used in place of shield oxygen to make the molten glass more reducing. Both shield oxygen and reducing gas may be used sequentially in a multi-zone furnace.

Abstract: A machining chamber encloses a glass molding apparatus including a molding die assembly composed of upper and lower molding dies cooperating to define a mold therebetween. The glass molding apparatus, contained within the sealed machining chamber, further includes a clamping/heating/compressing station, a cooling station and a preform-loading/molding-ejecting station. A shutter is provided in the casing for selectively opening the casing to the ambient atmosphere. An annular nozzle surrounds a molding surface provided on one of the upper and lower molding dies and is used to supply a first inactive-gas to the region between the two dies. A second, independent inactive-gas supply provides inactive-gas directly into the sealed casing, whereby the region between the dies is maintained at a lower oxygen level than that within the remainder of the sealed casing.

Abstract: Polymeric compositions having a polymeric component and an inorganic filler which undergoes a crystal (phase) inversion within the operating temperature range of the composition are provided. The present invention relates to a method for reducing the water sensitivity of particles of a crystallized phosphate glass. The particles are composed of P.sub.2 O.sub.5 and one or more cations selected from the group consisting of magnesium, cobalt, arsenic, zinc, iron, aluminum, and zirconium. The method includes nitriding the particles.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the production of a silver halide-containing glass article essentially free from silver halide crystals exhibiting a bright yellow coloration which strongly attenuates the transmission of ultraviolet radiation and radiation having a wavelength up to about 450 nm, said article having an integral reduced surface layer thereon, the depth of that layer being sufficient to effectively prevent the transmission therethrough of ultraviolet radiation and radiation having a wavelength up to about 450 nm.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the production of essentially defect-free high purity fused silica glass articles, the method comprising the following steps: (a) forming a green body from silica particulates or a porous body of amorphous silica; (b) sintering said body in a chamber by raising the temperature of the chamber to above 1720.degree. C., while purging the chamber with helium or applying a vacuum to the chamber; and (c) consolidating the sintered body in a chamber by raising the temperature within the chamber to at least 1750.degree. C., introducing an inert gas into the chamber at a pressure less than about 6.9 MPa (1000 psig), and cooling the chamber while maintaining the pressurized atmosphere to a temperature at least below the annealing point of the glass. In the most preferred practice, a green body of silica particulates will be prepared via a sol-gel process.

Abstract: Cuprous halide- or a cuprous-cadmium halide-containing glass articles are produced which are essentially completely opaque to ultraviolet radiation and can De essentially completely opaque to radiation within the region of wavelengths of up to 550 nm, but are transparent to visible radiations having a wavelength longer than the radiation within the region of opacity. The method involves exposing the glass articles to a hydrogen gas-containing atmosphere at a temperature between about 375.degree.-500.degree. C. for a period of at least 18 hours to develop an integral reduced layer in at least one surface of the article having a depth effective to prevent the transmission of ultraviolet radiation and radiation having a wavelength up to 550 nm through the article.

Abstract: The subject invention is directed at glasses wherein either a portion of the ZnO or alkali metals, or both, is replaced by Cu.sub.2 O, i.e., monovalent copper. Specifically, the present invention is directed at a glass consisting essentially of, expressed in terms of mole percent on the oxide basis, 28-42% P.sub.2 O.sub.5, 15-30% Cu.sub.2 O, 10-30% R.sub.2 O, wherein R.sub.2 O is selected from the group consisting of 0-15% Li.sub.2 O, 0-20% Na.sub.2 O, and 0-10% K.sub.2 O, and up to a total of 45% of optional ingredients in the indicated proportions selected from the group consisting of 0-10% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, 0-15% MgO, 0-20% CaO, 0-20% SrO, 0-20% BaO, 0-25% MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO, 0-35% ZnO, 0-10% MnO, 0-2% CeO.sub.2, 0-2% Ln.sub.2 O.sub.3, 0-10 Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 0-10% B.sub.2 O.sub.3, 0-10 Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 0-10% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 +B.sub.2 O.sub.3 +Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, 0-7% MoO.sub.3 0-7% WO.sub.3 0-7% MoO.sub.3 +WO.sub.3, and 0-8% F, the latter as analyzed in weight percent.

Abstract: The subject invention is directed at wherein either a portion of the ZnO or alkali metals, or both, found in prior art glasses, is replaced by Cu.sub.2 O, i.e., cuprous or monovalent copper. In addition to the Cu.sub.2 O substitution, the inventive glass contains a required metal oxide constituent which is necessary to enhance durability. More specifically, the present invention discloses a glass consisting essentially of, expressed in terms of mole percent on the oxide basis, of about 42-54% P.sub.2 O.sub.5, 10-30% Cu.sub.2 O, 10-30% R.sub. O and 3-12% of a component selected from the group consisting of 0-7% MoO.sub.3, 0-10 Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, 0-10% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and 0-7%WO.sub.3. In addition, the composition includes up to a total of 45% of optional ingredients in the indicated proportions selected from the group consisting of 0-15% MgO, 0-20% CaO, 0-20% SrO, 0-20% BaO, 0-25% MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO, 0-35% ZnO, 0-10% MnO, 0-2% CeO.sub.2, 0-10% B.sub.2 O.sub.3, 0-2% Ln.sub.2 O.sub.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, the index of refraction of a glassy material is increased by treating the material with hydrogen and applying heat. Specifically, the glass is exposed to hydrogen or deuterium at pressure in the range 14-11,000 p.s.i. and a temperature in the range 21.degree.-150.degree. C. for a time sufficient for the hydrogen to diffuse into the glass. The glass is then subjected to heat in excess of about 500.degree. C., as by application of a flame or infrared radiation. The duration of heating can be less than a second. The result is a substantial and long-lived increase in the normalized refractive index. For example, flame heating of H.sub.2 loaded commercial GeO.sub.2 doped optical fibers (AT&T Accutether single mode fiber) has produced normalized index changes .increment.n/n of 4.times.10.sup.-3. This process can be used to make and adjust a variety of optical waveguide devices.

Abstract: A UV-absorbing, polarizing glass article and method of making, the glass having an R.sub.2 O-B.sub.2 O.sub.3 -SiO.sub.2 base glass composition, a sharp spectral cut-off at about 400 nm, a precipitated crystal phase consisting of a halide selected from the group composed of cuprous, cadmium and mixed cuprous-cadmium halides, the crystallites in the crystal phase being elongated, and a portion of the crystallites near the surface of the article being at least partially reduced to colloidal copper, whereby the article exhibits permanent dichroic behavior.

Abstract: Both blow-and-blow and press-and-blow plunger mechanisms for use in forming a parison from a gob of fluid glass in a individual section (IS) of a glassware forming machine are fully pneumatically controlled. Plunger and thimble pistons affirmatively position a thimble and a plunger in consistently repeatable positions during loading of the gob, counterblowing or pressing an initial opening in the parison, and transferring the formed parison. No springs or other mechanical components which are prone to cause inconsistencies or failures are employed. The plunger mechanism is preferably suspended from the frame of the IS by a plunger case assembly to avoid the problems associated with a support foot. The plunger case assembly allows the plunger mechanisms to be easily interchanged or replaced, to be adjusted to accommodate different types of operation and sizes and configurations of glass article produced, while still communicating pressurized air to the plunger mechanisms to achieve these effects.

Abstract: In an individual section machine for producing glass containers from molten glass, a sliding tube-in-a-tube arrangement forms part of an internal cooling air passageway for directing a pressurized air flow to a pressing plunger. A linearly-movable piston comprising a ring-shaped base with an upwardly-projecting rod portion, is supported within a cylinder casing, and the plunger is supported on a projecting end of the rod portion. The piston has a central opening in the bore of the rod portion which merges with a longitudinal elongated thin-walled tubular member. The tubular member is disposed to define an annular space between its outer surface and the internal bore sidewall. A fixed second tubular member projects centrally upwardly from the cylinder casing's base end and into the annular space whereby linear movement of the piston causes the first tubular member to telescopically slide within the fixed second tubular member and maintain an extensible-retractable air tube structure.

Abstract: A forming plunger mechanism for glass container manufacturing of the type used in an I.S. machine and having at least one vertically-oriented cylinder containing a reciprocally-driven piston for repeatedly driving a plunger upwardly into parisons contained by a blank mould, wherein a saddle plate is provided for supporting one or more vertically-oriented cylinders. The saddle plate is adapted to accommodate on its upper surface a plurality of repositionable port blocks. Each port block has internal conduit channels with generally laterally-facing ports which operatively register with ports at the lower end of the cylinder. The conduit channels have substantially upwardly-facing openings for connection thereto with ends of hoses which serve to conduct a pressurized air stream through the port block and into the cylinder for driving the cylinder's piston in a reciprocal action and for conducting a cooling air flow through the mechanism.

Abstract: A transparent glass preform for an optical fiber is produced by heating a glass soot preform to remove gas from the soot preform at a temperature at which the soot preform is not vitrified under reduced pressure, and then heating the preform at a temperature at which the preform is vitrified under reduced pressure, whereby the transparent glass preform containing no or little bubbles and having a uniform outer diameter is produced.

Abstract: Disclosed is a glass molding process using an apparatus for manufacturing a glass preform into a glass molded product. In the process a mold is prepared for pressing the glass preform. The mold consists of a pair of molds having a cavity surface for forming the glass molded product, and a frame mold which is movable against the pair of molds and incorporates a heating source. A next step in the process involves introducing the glass preform, where the pair of molds are opened and the glass preform is placed on the cavity surface. The glass preform then undergoes heating, where the glass preform is moved so as to come near the heating source of the frame mold by closing the mold, thereby heating the glass preform. The glass preform is then pressed by moving the mold to mold a shape of a glass molded product. The resulting glass molded product is then separated from the heating source by moving the frame mold and taken out by opening the mold.

Abstract: A body of cerium-doped quartz glass is manufactured by melting together silicon oxide and a cerium (III) silicate compound, preferably Ce.sub.2 Si.sub.2 O.sub.7, in a reducing atmosphere. The invention provides a method of manufacturing said cerium-silicate compound having a tetragonal crystal structure. The quartz glass manufactured can be suitably used in a lamp envelope of UV-absorbing quartz glass, the water content in the quartz glass being less than 1 ppm.

Abstract: A process for forming a high temperature oxidation resistant coating on a carbon-carbon composite is disclosed and claimed. The process comprises applying a cyclosiloxane monomer blend containing a filler such as silicon carbide to a carbon-carbon composite, polymerizing and pyrolyzing said blend to form a filled black glass protective coating on the carbon-carbon composite.

Abstract: In the process for the production of an optical waveguide preform, in which the cladding layer is applied as a tubular powder layer onto a cylindrical glass core rod and is densified by heating, the powder layer has a relative density of approximately 6 percent, which is increased to 25-50 percent during the stabilization process. In order for this process to proceed without damage to the preform, the powder layer is initially heated at a low heating rate. From approximately 150.degree. C., the heating rate is increased until a higher temperature is reached.

Abstract: A machine is provided for molding an optical element by using a molding block having upper and lower molding dies, a sleeve die and a glass blank combined integrally with each other. The machine includes a chamber which accommodates a heating zone having a plurality of sections for heating the molding block from above and below, a deformation zone for pressing the molding dies and a cooling zone having a plurality of sections for cooling the molding block. The chamber is formed with an inlet and an outlet for the molding block. The sections of the heating zone, the deformation zone and the sections of the cooling zone are provided independently of one another. A transport member is provided for sequentially transporting the molding block through the heating zone, the deformation zone and the cooling zone, and first and second shutters are provided for opening gas supply member is provided for introducing nonoxidizing gas into the chamber.

Abstract: A machine is provided for molding an optical element by using a molding block having upper and lower molding dies, a sleeve die and a glass blank combined integrally with each other. The machine includes a chamber which accommodates a heating zone having a plurality of sections for heating the molding block from above and below, a deformation zone for pressing the molding dies and a cooling zone having a plurality of sections for cooling the molding block. The chamber is formed with an inlet and an outlet for the molding block. The sections of the heating zone, the deformation zone and the sections of the cooling zone are provided independently of one another. A transport member is provided for sequentially transporting the molding block through the heating zone, the deformation zone and the cooling zone, and first and second shutters are provided for opening gas supply member is provided for introducing nonoxidizing gas into the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for inhibiting significant oxidation of a film on a substrate during heating of the substrate. The method includes providing a metal or metal oxide film on a substrate and providing a material adjacent to the film. The substrate is then heated to a temperature sufficient to cause the substrate to bend and the material adjacent to the film reacts in such a way as to protect the metal or metal oxide film on the substrate from further significantly oxidizing.

Abstract: A silica glass powder suitable for the production of a silica glass body product of a low silanol content, which is obtained by baking a dried silica gel powder obtained by a sol-gel method, at a temperature of from 1,000.degree. to 1,400.degree. C., wherein during the baking period, the silica gel powder is baked in a gas atmosphere containing from 10 to 100% by volume of steam for at least 5 hours.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a glass or glass-ceramic matrix composite article is disclosed which serves to eliminate the need for an expensive vacuum hot press and to significantly reduce the time required for densification. A preform composed of a mixture of chopped or continuous fibers such as carbon or silicon carbide and glass powder is heated to a temperature sufficiently high to soften the glass powder to a deformable state. Thereupon, the preform is deformed between dies which are at a temperature below that of the preform. A resultant composite article assumes the configuration of the shaped die cavity and is cooled by the natural loss of heat to the dies.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for producing an optical glass element, including displacing a gob of optical glass on a first heat working jig to a second heat working jig by making the gob of optical glass adhere to the second heat working jig due to a difference in wettability with high temperature glass between the first heat working jig and the second heat working jig. The gob of optical glass on the second heat working jig is thermally deformed to form an optical glass preform. The optical glass preform is formed under heat and pressure by using pressure molds to form an optical glass element.

Abstract: In a method of molding an optical device by press-molding a glass preform by using molding dies, the press-molding process is executed under a mixed gas atmosphere of a nonoxidizer gas and a hydrocarbon gas.

Abstract: A glass preform for use in the fabrication of an optical fiber having little bubbles is produced by a method comprising depositing glass soot on a periphery of a starting glass rod to form a porous glass preform, heating and sintering the porous glass preform in a helium atmosphere to consolidate the porous glass preform and then heating the sintered glass in an atmosphere containing an inert gas except helium having partial pressure of the inert gas of not lower than 0.8 atm. to obtain a transparent glass preform.

Abstract: Titanium is prenitrided by being heated in a nitrogen environment under conditions which give rise to the formation of a titanium-nitride surface layer on the titanium. Titanium thus prenitrided may be used in electrical components which are hermetically sealed using silicate glasses and standard glass sealing techniques. According to the method of the invention, alkali volatilization and formation of deleterious interfacial silicide are inhibited.