Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
281 words
A method for making a glass-ceramic article composed of a body portion and an integral surface layer demonstrating magnetic properties and exhibiting a reflective, metallic luster, said body portion consisting essentially of beta-quartz solid solution crystals dispersed within a glassy matrix and comprising at least 50% by volume of said body portion, and said surface layer consisting essentially of magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ) crystals dispersed within a glassy matrix and comprising at least 50% by volume of said surface layer, consisting of the steps of: (a) melting a batch for a glass consisting essentially, in weight percent on the oxide basis, of about 1-6% FeO, 3-10% Li 2 O, 15-40% Al 2 O 3 , 40-75% SiO 2 , 2-7% RO 2 , wherein RO 2 consists of 2-6% TiO 2 and 0-3% ZrO 2 , and being essentially free from transition metal oxides other than iron oxide; (b) simultaneously cooling the melt to at least within the transformation range and forming a glass article therefrom; (c) exposing said glass article in an oxidizing atmosphere to a temperature between about 750°-1025° C. for a period of time sufficient to cause the growth of beta-quartz solid solution crystals in situ in the body portion of said glass article and the growth of hematite crystals in situ in an integral surface layer on said glass article thereby producing a glass-ceramic article; (d) exposing said glass-ceramic article to a H 2 O-containing reducing environment at a temperature between about 450°-650° C. for a period of time sufficient to reduce the hematite crystals in said surface layer to magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ) crystals; and (e) cooling said article to room temperature.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
281 words
A method for making a glass-ceramic article composed of a body portion and an integral surface layer demonstrating magnetic properties and exhibiting a reflective, metallic luster, said body portion consisting essentially of beta-quartz solid solution crystals dispersed within a glassy matrix and comprising at least 50% by volume of said body portion, and said surface layer consisting essentially of magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ) crystals dispersed within a glassy matrix and comprising at least 50% by volume of said surface layer, consisting of the steps of: (a) melting a batch for a glass consisting essentially, in weight percent on the oxide basis, of about 1-6% FeO, 3-10% Li 2 O, 15-40% Al 2 O 3 , 40-75% SiO 2 , 2-7% RO 2 , wherein RO 2 consists of 2-6% TiO 2 and 0-3% ZrO 2 , and being essentially free from transition metal oxides other than iron oxide; (b) simultaneously cooling the melt to at least within the transformation range and forming a glass article therefrom; (c) exposing said glass article in an oxidizing atmosphere to a temperature between about 750°-1025° C. for a period of time sufficient to cause the growth of beta-quartz solid solution crystals in situ in the body portion of said glass article and the growth of hematite crystals in situ in an integral surface layer on said glass article thereby producing a glass-ceramic article; (d) exposing said glass-ceramic article to a H 2 O-containing reducing environment at a temperature between about 450°-650° C. for a period of time sufficient to reduce the hematite crystals in said surface layer to magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ) crystals; and (e) cooling said article to room temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said glass-ceramic article is contacted with a mineral acid prior to being exposed to said H 2 O-containing reducing environment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said mineral acid is selected from the group consisting of HNO 3 , HCl, H 3 PO 4 , and H 2 SO 4 .
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said H 2 O-containing reducing environment consists of wet forming gas (92% N 2 -- 8% H 2 ).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said surface layer is no more than several thousand angstroms thick.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
Glass ceramic article made in accordance with method of claim 1.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
283 words
A method for making a glass-ceramic article composed of a body portion and an integral surface layer demonstrating magnetic properties and exhibiting an enamel-like or earthen appearance, said body portion consisting essentially of beta-spodumene solid solution crystals dispersed within a glassy matrix and comprising at least 50% by volume of said body portion, and said surface layer consisting essentially of magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ) crystals dispersed within a glassy matrix and comprising at least 50% by volume of said surface layer, consisting of the steps of: (a) melting a batch for a glass consisting essentially, in weight percent on the oxide basis, of about 1-6% FeO, 3-10% Li 2 O, 15-40% Al 2 O 3 , 40-75% SiO 2 , 2-7% RO 2 , wherein RO 2 consists of 2-6% TiO 2 and 0-3% ZrO 2 , and being essentially free from transition metal oxides other than iron oxides; (b) simultaneously cooling the melt to at least within the transformation range and forming a glass article therefrom; (c) exposing said glass article in an oxidizing atmosphere to a temperature of at least 1050° C. for a period of time sufficient to cause the growth of beta-spodumene solid solution crystals in situ in the body portion of said glass article and the growth of hematite crystals in situ in an integral surface layer on said glass article thereby producing a glass-ceramic article; (d) exposing said glass-ceramic article to a H 2 O-containing reducing environment at a temperature between about 450-650° C. for a period of time sufficient to reduce the hematite crystals in said surface layer to magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ) crystals; and (e) cooling said article to room temperature.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
283 words
A method for making a glass-ceramic article composed of a body portion and an integral surface layer demonstrating magnetic properties and exhibiting an enamel-like or earthen appearance, said body portion consisting essentially of beta-spodumene solid solution crystals dispersed within a glassy matrix and comprising at least 50% by volume of said body portion, and said surface layer consisting essentially of magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ) crystals dispersed within a glassy matrix and comprising at least 50% by volume of said surface layer, consisting of the steps of: (a) melting a batch for a glass consisting essentially, in weight percent on the oxide basis, of about 1-6% FeO, 3-10% Li 2 O, 15-40% Al 2 O 3 , 40-75% SiO 2 , 2-7% RO 2 , wherein RO 2 consists of 2-6% TiO 2 and 0-3% ZrO 2 , and being essentially free from transition metal oxides other than iron oxides; (b) simultaneously cooling the melt to at least within the transformation range and forming a glass article therefrom; (c) exposing said glass article in an oxidizing atmosphere to a temperature of at least 1050° C. for a period of time sufficient to cause the growth of beta-spodumene solid solution crystals in situ in the body portion of said glass article and the growth of hematite crystals in situ in an integral surface layer on said glass article thereby producing a glass-ceramic article; (d) exposing said glass-ceramic article to a H 2 O-containing reducing environment at a temperature between about 450-650° C. for a period of time sufficient to reduce the hematite crystals in said surface layer to magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ) crystals; and (e) cooling said article to room temperature.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein said glass-ceramic article is contacted with a mineral acid prior to being exposed to said H 2 O-containing reducing environment.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein said mineral acid is selected from the group consisting of HNO 3 , HCl, H 3 PO 4 , and H 2 SO 4 .
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein said H 2 O-containing reducing environment consists of wet forming gas (92% N 2 13 8% H 2 ).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein said surface layer is no more than several thousand angstroms thick.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
Glass ceramic article made in accordance with the method of claim 7.