SHAPE THE LIQUID NOT THE SOLID

A new sol-gel process (SiVARA technology, developed by Degussa Novara Technology), provides a major improvement in the production of special glass-moulded bodies for a variety of applications including quartz accessories, optics, optical fibres and semiconductor equipment. By gelling a liquid precur...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ceramic Industry 2007-03, Vol.157 (3), p.16-17
Main Author: Doludda, M
Format: Magazinearticle
Language:English
Subjects:
Glass
Production methods
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:A new sol-gel process (SiVARA technology, developed by Degussa Novara Technology), provides a major improvement in the production of special glass-moulded bodies for a variety of applications including quartz accessories, optics, optical fibres and semiconductor equipment. By gelling a liquid precursor at room temperature in a mould, the process provides a low-cost alternative to most current manufacturing processes for glass objects, which normally require one or more cutting, grinding and polishing steps. Because the process is water-based, it is environmentally friendly; the only by-product is alcohol, which is pure enough to be recycled. In the new process, dispersed nano-agglomerates of fumed silica with a controlled pH react with TEOS to form a gel. The process is outlined and its benefits are noted.
ISSN:0009-0220
2328-4072