Silica glass components

left: green body                                   right: sintered body

Saarland University
Department of Powder Technology
Building 43, P.O. Box 15 11 50
66041 Saarbrücken
Germany
Head: Prof. Dr. R. Clasen
Phone: +49 [0]681 302 5007/5008
Fax: +49 [0]681 302 5227
e-mail: r.clasen@matsci.uni-sb.de

Contact: E. Jungblut
Phone: +49 [0]681 302 5229
e-mail: e.jungblut@matsci.uni-sb.de
Web: http://www.uni-saarland.de/fak8/powdertech

Objectives:

·      Preparation of high melting glasses (silica glass) and ceramics with complex geometries

·      Significant lowering of the processing temperature compared to traditional melting technique by use of nanoscaled powders

·      Near-shape manufacturing of com­ponents with high surface quality and without mechanical refinishing

Methods:

Slurries of nanoscaled silica powder (i.e. Aerosil OX50, Degussa) are prepared and casted into a mould. Demolding of the green body and sintering at temperatures, which are at least 500 °C below the processing temperature of the traditional melting route in the case of silica glass. Near-shape manufacturing of complex bodies of high melting glasses and ceramics can be performed only by this fabrication method.

Results:

Preparation of a complex near net-shaped object (parrot) of nanoscaled silica glass powder – as seen in the picture – by sintering at 1500 °C in an electrically heated vacuum furnace to obtain a transparent glass.

Application:

·      Substrate for display or solar tech­nique

·      High power lamps

·      Microstructure surfaces

·      Micro system technology

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