Method for producing ultra-high purity, optical quality, glass articles
First Claim
1. A method for consolidating a green body comprising the steps of:
- (a) drying and partially sintering the green body in a chamber by;
(i) raising the temperature of the chamber to above about 1000°
C.; and
(ii) introducing chlorine into the chamber during at least a portion of said drying and partial sintering to reduce the level of bound water associated with the green body;
(b) fully sintering the green body in a chamber by raising the temperature of the chamber to a temperature above about 1720°
C. while applying a vacuum to the chamber; and
(c) hot isostatic pressing the fully sintered green body in a chamber by raising the temperature of the chamber to above about 1150°
C. and introducing an inert gas into the chamber at a pressure above about 100 psig.
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Abstract
A method for consolidating a green body is disclosed which involves: (1) drying and partially sintering the green body at a temperature above about 1000° C. and in an atmosphere containing chlorine; (2) fully sintering the green body under vacuum at a temperature above about 1720° C.; and (3) hot isostatic pressing ("hipping") the green body at a temperature above about 1150° C. and at a pressure above about 100 psig. The process produces glass articles which have a low water content and are essentially bubble free.
This is a continuation of co-pending application Ser. No. 07/271,709 filed Nov. 16, 1988, now abandoned which is a divisional application of application Ser. No. 07/052,619, filed May 20, 1987 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,789,389.
78 Citations
4 Claims
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1. A method for consolidating a green body comprising the steps of:
-
(a) drying and partially sintering the green body in a chamber by; (i) raising the temperature of the chamber to above about 1000°
C.; and(ii) introducing chlorine into the chamber during at least a portion of said drying and partial sintering to reduce the level of bound water associated with the green body; (b) fully sintering the green body in a chamber by raising the temperature of the chamber to a temperature above about 1720°
C. while applying a vacuum to the chamber; and(c) hot isostatic pressing the fully sintered green body in a chamber by raising the temperature of the chamber to above about 1150°
C. and introducing an inert gas into the chamber at a pressure above about 100 psig. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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Specification