The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 19, 2002
Filed:
Jun. 23, 2000
Ferro Corporation, Cleveland, OH (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides a glass-ceramic glaze composition for use in the production of ceramic tile. The glaze composition comprises a glass composition from which diopside crystals can be formed, a diopside crystallization rate controller, a surface texture controller, and other optional fillers, pigments and additives. Preferably, the glass composition comprises one or more glass frits containing precursors from which diopside crystals can be formed. The diopside crystallization rate controller comprises mill added sodium feldspar, potassium feldspar, nepheline, and/or spodumene, with sodium feldspar being preferred. The surface texture controller preferably comprises zinc oxide and calcined alumina. When fired on a ceramic tile, the glaze composition of the present invention provides a semi-transparent to translucent, smooth matte finish that displays excellent chemical durability and abrasion resistance.