Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for making an essentially alkali metal-free, high purity borosilicate glass having a coefficient of thermal expansion (R.T. to 300° C.) less than about 20 × 10.sup. -7 /° C., a flow point when present in particulate form between about 1000°-1250° C., and the ability to withstand thermal cycling to 1300° C. and higher without substantial devitrification, which comprises the steps of: a. impregnating porous, essentially alkali metal-free, high purity silica material having a porosity of at least 25% and pore diameter ranging between about 15-250A with an essentially alkali metal-free, boron-containing liquid; b. consolidating said impregnated porous material by heating to about 1000°-1250° C. to yield a high purity, non-porous borosilicate glass containing at least about 1%, but not more than about 20% by weight, B 2 O 3 , and wherein the total alkali metal oxide does not exceed about 0.03% by weight.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for making an essentially alkali metal-free, high purity borosilicate glass having a coefficient of thermal expansion (R.T. to 300° C.) less than about 20 × 10.sup. -7 /° C., a flow point when present in particulate form between about 1000°-1250° C., and the ability to withstand thermal cycling to 1300° C. and higher without substantial devitrification, which comprises the steps of: a. impregnating porous, essentially alkali metal-free, high purity silica material having a porosity of at least 25% and pore diameter ranging between about 15-250A with an essentially alkali metal-free, boron-containing liquid; b. consolidating said impregnated porous material by heating to about 1000°-1250° C. to yield a high purity, non-porous borosilicate glass containing at least about 1%, but not more than about 20% by weight, B 2 O 3 , and wherein the total alkali metal oxide does not exceed about 0.03% by weight.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said boron-containing liquid is an aqueous solution of H 3 BO 3 .
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said boron-containing liquid is an aqueous solution of NH 4 B 5 O 8 .4H 2 O.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said boron-containing liquid is molten boric acid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said porous, high purity silica material is prepared in accordance with the method of U.S. Pat. No. 2,106,744.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said porous, high purity silica material is powdered silicic acid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
84 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said porous, high purity silica material is also impregnated with an essentially alkali metal-free liquid containing at least one metal selected from the group consisting of cobalt, iron, nickel, molybdenum, and vanadium such that said consolidated high purity, non-porous borosilicate glass will also contain up to about 5% by weight total of at least one member of the group consisting of CoO, Fe 2 O 3 , NiO, MoO 3 , and V 2 O 5 .
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the total alkali metal oxide content of said consolidated high purity, non-porous borosilicate glass does not exceed about 0.02% by weight.