Corning Glass Works

Larry E Campbell

Stanley D Stookey

Joseph E Pierson

Roger F Bartholomew

Stanley S Lewek

This invention relates to the production of chemically durable inorganic silicate coatings which are homogeneous, easy to apply, and exhibit essentially infinite shelf life. More specifically, this invention relates to the preparation of such coatings by incorporating a metal oxide (M.sub.x O.sub.y) wherein Y:X is at least 1.5, into a true aqueous solution of an alkali metal silicate, at least about 50% by weight of said alkali metal consisting of potassium, which will dry in air, i.e., be non-hygroscopic. Thereafter, upon drying and curing, a crystal phase precipitates in situ within the solution causing polymerization of the silica at the crystal interfaces and subsequently throughout the solution, thus yielding a durable coating consisting essentially of a crystal phase homogeneously dispersed in a silicate glassy matrix.

Method for making chemically durable silicate coatings

The present invention relates to a method for hydrating fine-dimensioned alkali metal-containing silicate glass bodies so as to impart the property of thermoplasticity thereto. More particularly, this invention contemplates contacting fine-dimensioned alkali metal silicate glass bodies with an aqueous solution at elevated temperatures and pressures to develop at least a surface layer thereon having a water content ranging up to about 36% by weight, said aqueous solution having a pH less than 6 as measured at room temperature. The hydrated bodies can approach certain properties of high-polymer organic plastics and exhibit the capability of being thermoplastically formed at relatively low temperatures.

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Corning, NY, United States of America

Larry E Campbell