Method for manufacturing glass

Abstract

Provided is a method for producing glass that can easily suppress oxidation and improve productivity. The method includes: a step of flowing a molten liquid (11) obtained by melting raw materials of glass into a molding die (13); and a step of obtaining glass (18) by cooling the molten liquid (11), wherein a partition member (16) is disposed inside the molding die (13) and a flow-in portion (17) surrounded by the molding die (13) and the partition member (16) is formed, and in the step of flowing the molten liquid (11) into the molding die (13), the molten liquid (11) is caused to flow into the flow-in portion (17) while the molding die (13) is caused to move relative to the partition member (16) to increase the volume of the flow-in portion (17).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method for manufacturing glass. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, chalcogenide glasses have been known as materials suitable for infrared optics. Chalcogenide glasses not only have infrared transmittance, but also are preferred from the viewpoints of mass production and low cost due to their ability to be molded.

[0003] In manufacturing optical components such as lenses, for example, molten glass is rapidly cooled and cast to create a glass ingot, which is then ground, polished, and cleaned to produce a pre-formed glass. Next, the pre-formed glass is molded to create the optical component, such as a lens.

[0004] Patent Document 1 below discloses an example of a method for manufacturing a glass article. In this manufacturing method, molten glass is poured into a bottomed cylindrical mold for casting to obtain a glass ingot.

[0005] Existing technical documents

[0006] Patent documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-209364 Summary of the Invention

[0008] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0009] When forming glasses such as chalcogenide glasses, it is necessary to suppress oxidation. However, in the method described in Patent Document 1, the molten liquid flowing into the forming mold comes into contact with air with an area equivalent to the opening area of ​​the forming mold. Therefore, in order to suppress oxidation, the forming environment needs to be set to an inert atmosphere or similar process, which makes it difficult to improve productivity.

[0010] The purpose of this invention is to provide a method for manufacturing glass that can easily suppress oxidation and improve productivity.

[0011] Technical solutions for solving technical problems

[0012] The glass manufacturing method of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a step of flowing molten liquid obtained by melting glass raw materials into a molding die; and a step of obtaining glass by cooling the molten liquid, wherein a partition member is disposed in the molding die and an inflow portion is formed by the molding die and the partition member, and in the step of flowing molten liquid into the molding die, the molding die is moved relative to the partition member to increase the volume of the inflow portion while the molten liquid flows into the inflow portion.

[0013] Preferably, during the process of allowing the molten liquid to flow into the molding die, the thickness of the molten liquid is kept constant while the molding die is moved relative to the separating component.

[0014] Preferably, in the process of allowing the molten liquid to flow into the molding die, only the molding die is moved.

[0015] Preferably, the process of allowing the molten liquid to flow into the molding die is carried out in an atmospheric atmosphere.

[0016] The preferred glass is a chalcogenide glass.

[0017] The effects of the invention

[0018] According to the present invention, a method for manufacturing glass that can easily suppress oxidation and improve productivity can be provided. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 (a)~ Figure 1 (c) is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the steps up to heating the raw materials in the glass manufacturing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 (a) and Figure 2 (b) is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the contents after the step of stirring the molten liquid in the glass manufacturing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 (a)~ Figure 3 (d) is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the process of flowing molten liquid into a molding die in the glass manufacturing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 4 (a)~ Figure 4 (d) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the glass manufacturing method of the reference example.

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic perspective view of the molding die used in the glass manufacturing method according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 6 This is a schematic perspective view of the molding die used in the glass manufacturing method according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The preferred embodiments are described below. However, these embodiments are merely illustrative, and the present invention is not limited to them. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, components that have substantially the same function are sometimes referred to by the same reference numerals.

[0026] (Methods for manufacturing glass)

[0027] (First Implementation)

[0028] The characteristic of this embodiment lies in the process of flowing the molten liquid obtained by melting the raw material into a molding die. The manufacturing method of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the figures.

[0029] Figure 1 (a)~ Figure 1 (c) is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the steps up to heating the raw materials in the glass manufacturing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 (a) and Figure 2 (b) is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the contents after the step of stirring the molten liquid in the glass manufacturing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 (a)~ Figure 3 (d) is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the step of flowing molten metal into a molding die in the glass manufacturing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Furthermore, for convenience, coil 10A or coil 10B is omitted in some of the drawings.

[0030] The manufacturing method described in this embodiment is an example of a method for manufacturing chalcogenide glass according to the present invention. Of course, the method of the present invention can also be applied to the manufacture of glasses other than chalcogenide glasses.

[0031] like Figure 1 As shown in (a), in this embodiment, a crucible is used as container 1. Container 1 has a bottom 2 and side walls 3. Container 1 is preferably made of quartz glass. Thus, glass can be suitably formed in the following processes.

[0032] A pipe 4 is connected to the bottom 2 of container 1. An outer pipe 5 is arranged to surround the pipe 4. The pipe 4 passes through the inner wall of the outer pipe 5. In this embodiment, the outer pipe 5 is made of Pt. Of course, the outer pipe 5 can be made of any suitable metal.

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown in (a), the raw material 6 for glass is disposed in container 1. In this embodiment, the raw material 6 is a mixture containing components constituting chalcogenide glass. In this embodiment, the raw material 6 may contain only a metal. Furthermore, in this invention, "metal" includes metallic elements, half-metallic elements, alkali metal elements, alkaline earth metal elements, etc. Details of the raw material 6 will be described later. In addition, it is preferable to melt a small amount of the raw material 6 in advance to form a small amount of molten liquid 11, and to allow the small amount of molten liquid 11 to flow into the piping 4. The small amount of molten liquid 11 cools in the piping 4 to form a solid (solid glass). This allows the plug 12 to be formed. By forming the plug 12, the raw material 6 can be stably disposed even when the piping 4 is connected to the bottom 2 of container 1.

[0034] Next, as Figure 1 As shown in (b), a cover 7 is disposed on the side wall 3 of container 1. A gas supply pipe 8 and a gas discharge pipe 9 are connected to the cover 7. Gas is discharged from container 1 through the gas discharge pipe 9 to reduce pressure. Then, an inert gas or reducing gas is supplied to container 1 through the gas supply pipe 8. By repeating this operation, an inert atmosphere or reducing atmosphere is formed inside container 1.

[0035] When forming chalcogenide glasses, it is necessary to prevent the heated raw material 6 from reacting with oxygen and moisture. In this embodiment, the air inside container 1 is replaced with an inert or reducing gas, thus removing oxygen and moisture from the container. Therefore, chalcogenide glasses can be suitably formed even without using a sealed container that maintains a vacuum. In this embodiment, as described later, the formed glass can flow out of container 1 through pipe 4, so container 1 can be reused without destroying it to remove the formed glass.

[0036] Here, as Figure 1 As shown in (c), the coil 10A is arranged to surround at least a portion of the side wall 3 of the container 1. Specifically, the coil 10A is arranged to surround the portion in which the raw material 6 is disposed in the container 1. The raw material 6 is induction heated by flowing current through the coil 10A. Specifically, an induced current is generated by utilizing the induced magnetic field generated by flowing current through the coil 10A. The raw material 6 contains metal, and the metal has internal resistance. Therefore, by flowing induced current into the metal, the metal contained in the raw material 6 becomes a heat source, and the entire raw material 6 is heated. Through this induction heating, the raw material 6 becomes a molten liquid 11 as shown in FIG. 2(a).

[0037] A Lorentz force is applied to the molten liquid 11 using the induced magnetic field and induced current generated by the current flowing through the coil 10A. This Lorentz force allows the molten liquid 11 to be stirred. Thus, in this embodiment, the molten liquid 11 can be stirred without using a means of stirring that directly contacts the molten liquid 11, such as a stirrer. Of course, a stirrer or similar device can also be used to stir the molten liquid 11.

[0038] As described above, a portion of the molten liquid 11 flows into the aforementioned piping 4. The molten liquid 11 within the piping 4 is cooled, forming a solidified material (solid glass). This forms a plug 12. Therefore, a small amount of molten liquid 11 from the portion forming the plug 12 flows into the piping 4, but the flow of the remaining molten liquid 11 is stopped by the plug 12. Of course, a cap, stopper, or the like can be used instead of the plug 12.

[0039] like Figure 2As shown in (b), a coil 10B is arranged around the outer tube 5. By flowing current through the coil 10B, the outer tube 5 is induction heated. The piping 4 and the plug 12 within the piping 4 are heated by the radiant heat from the outer tube 5. Furthermore, the plug 12 is solid glass, containing no elemental metals or alloys, and therefore is not induction heated. The plug 12 is melted by the aforementioned heating, and the molten liquid 11 flows out of the container 1.

[0040] also, Figure 1 (a)~ Figure 1 (c) and Figure 2 The methods shown in (a) and (b) are examples, and the methods in the process of melting the raw material 6 and the process of flowing out the molten liquid 11 are not limited to the above.

[0041] like Figure 3 As shown in (a), the flowing molten liquid 11 is allowed to flow into the molding die 13. In this embodiment, the molding die 13 is a container with a cuboid shape. The molding die 13 has a bottom portion 14 and a wall portion 15. The molding die 13 has an opening on the side opposite to the bottom portion 14. A cuboid-shaped partition member 16 is disposed inside the molding die 13. Specifically, the partition member 16 contacts the bottom portion 14 and the wall portion 15 of the molding die 13. Thus, an inflow portion 17 is formed by the bottom portion 14 and the wall portion 15 of the molding die 13, and the partition member 16. Furthermore, the wall portion 15 includes a counter portion 15a. The counter portion 15a is the part that constitutes the inflow portion 17 and is opposite to the partition member 16.

[0042] First, such as Figure 3 As shown in (a), the molten liquid 11 flows into the inlet section 17 until the molten liquid 11 in the molding die 13 reaches a certain thickness (i.e., a certain liquid level height). Figure 3 In (a), the thickness of the molten liquid 11 is schematically represented as the thickness reaching the upper end of the wall portion 15, but the aforementioned specific thickness of the molten liquid 11 is not limited to this. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the process of allowing the molten liquid 11 to flow into the forming mold 13 and the process of cooling the molten liquid 11 (described later) are performed in an atmospheric atmosphere. At this time, the longer the contact time with the outside air in the molten liquid 11 of the chalcogenide compound glass, the easier it is to form a heterogeneous layer 11a on the surface. The heterogeneous layer 11a is composed of oxide impurities and / or devitrifying substances and / or rapidly cooled and solidified glass.

[0043] Next, as Figure 3 (b) and Figure 3As shown in (c), the molten liquid 11 flows into the molding die 13 while the molding die 13 is moved relative to the separating member 16. This increases the volume of the inflow section 17 while the molten liquid 11 flows into the molding die 13. Specifically, the molding die 13 is slid while maintaining contact between the separating member 16 and the bottom surface 14 and wall portion 15 of the molding die 13. The molding die 13 is moved in the direction where the opposing portion 15a in the wall portion 15 moves away from the separating member 16. In this embodiment, the separating member 16 and the aforementioned pipe 4 do not move; only the molding die 13 moves. This increases the opening area of ​​the inflow section 17 and its volume.

[0044] Next, as Figure 3 As shown in (d), glass 18 is formed by cooling molten 11 within the molding die 13. In this embodiment, prismatic glass 18 can be obtained. By grinding, polishing, and cleaning glass 18, pre-formed glass can be manufactured. Furthermore, by molding pre-formed glass, optical components such as lenses can be manufactured. Alternatively, optical components such as lenses can be manufactured directly from glass 18 without manufacturing pre-formed glass. Additionally, the heterogeneous layer 11a can be removed by grinding, polishing, etc.

[0045] The characteristic of this embodiment is that the molten liquid 11 flows into the molding die 13 while the molding die 13 is moved relative to the separating member 16 to increase the volume of the inflow section 17. This allows for easy control of the oxidation of the molten liquid 11, improving the productivity of the glass 18. It also suppresses corrugations in the glass 18. These aspects will be described in detail below.

[0046] As molten glass flows into the existing molding die, although the distance between the piping and the molten surface gradually shortens with the supply of molten glass, the molten glass is supplied under conditions of prolonged contact with external air. The molten glass supplied under these conditions contains heterogeneous components, and the surface is continuously replaced by such molten glass. Therefore, within an area equivalent to the opening area of ​​the molding die, the newly added molten glass containing heterogeneous components always mixes with the previously supplied molten glass, and the molten glass continuously accumulates in a heterogeneous state.

[0047] In contrast, such as Figure 3 (b) and Figure 3As shown in (c), in this embodiment, the molten liquid 11 is allowed to flow into the inlet section 17 until the molten liquid 11 in the molding die 13 reaches a certain thickness. Then, the volume of the inlet section 17 is increased while the molten liquid 11 continues to flow into the molding die 13. Here, when the molten liquid 11 reaches a certain thickness in the molding die 13, a heterogeneous layer 11a is formed on the surface of the molten liquid 11. Therefore, the molten liquid 11 flowing in while increasing the volume of the inlet section 17 will not be in prolonged contact with external air, and flows between the bottom part 14 of the molding die 13 and the heterogeneous layer 11a. Furthermore, as the opening area of ​​the inlet section 17 increases, the area of ​​the heterogeneous layer 11a also increases. Thus, even if the molding die 13 slides, the inlet section 17 is covered by the heterogeneous layer 11a. Therefore, the newly introduced molten liquid 11 into the molding die 13 is prevented from contacting external air due to the heterogeneous layer 11a. Therefore, oxidation of the molten liquid 11 is suppressed. Therefore, productivity can be improved.

[0048] Furthermore, according to the method of the present invention, the area of ​​the molten liquid 11 in contact with the external gas is not initially maximized, but gradually increases by moving the molding die 13 relative to the separating member 16. Therefore, the cumulative value of the area and time of contact between the molten liquid 11 and the external gas can be reduced. Therefore, oxidation can be easily suppressed even without a process using an inert atmosphere. Therefore, productivity can be improved.

[0049] The following details the effect of this embodiment in suppressing glass ripples.

[0050] Figure 4 (a)~ Figure 4 (d) is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a glass manufacturing method of the reference example. In the reference example, as... Figure 4 As shown in (a), the molten liquid 11 flows into the inlet section 17. Then, as... Figure 4 (b) and Figure 4 As shown in (c), the separating member 16 is moved to increase the volume of the inflow section 17 while the molten liquid 11 flows into the molding die 13. At this time, the portion of the molten liquid 11 that contacts the opposing portion 15a in the molding die 13 is more easily cooled. Thus, as Figure 4 As shown in (b), the portion of the molten liquid 11 that initially flows into the inlet section 17 and comes into contact with the opposing section 15a cools and solidifies. After solidification, high-temperature molten liquid 11 is continuously supplied from the piping 4 near the solidified portion. Therefore, a portion of the solidified portion melts due to the high-temperature molten liquid 11. Moreover, as Figure 4 As shown by the dashed arrow in (b), a portion of the solidified portion melts and mixes with the supplied molten liquid 11. Therefore, molten liquid 11 easily becomes heterogeneous. Additionally, as... Figure 4 As shown in (d), the molten liquid 11, as described above, is cooled to form glass 18, thus easily producing ripples.

[0051] In contrast, Figure 3 (a)~ Figure 3 In the embodiment shown in (d), the molding die 13 is moved. At this time, the relative position of the bottom surface 14 and the partition member 16 changes in the portion near the partition member 16, so it is difficult for the melt 11 to solidify immediately in the portion near the partition member 16.

[0052] On the other hand, the portion of the molten liquid 11 that contacts the opposing portion 15a in the molding die 13 is more likely to solidify. Here, in this embodiment, the opposing portion 15a moves away from the separating member 16 and the pipe 4. Therefore, when the molten liquid 11 initially flows into the inlet 17 cools and solidifies, the opposing portion 15a separates from the pipe 4. Therefore, the high-temperature molten liquid 11 is less likely to come into contact with the solidified portion. Therefore, melting of a portion of the solidified portion is less likely to occur as in the reference example, and the molten liquid 11 is less likely to become heterogeneous. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the corrugations of the glass 18.

[0053] During the process of flowing the molten 11 into the molding die 13, it is desirable to maintain a constant thickness of the molten 11. This allows for a shorter distance between the tip of the piping 4 and the surface of the molten 11, preventing excessive contact between the supplied molten 11 and external air. Consequently, oxidation of the molten 11 can be effectively suppressed.

[0054] When the molten liquid 11 flows into the molding die 13, it is preferable to move only the molding die 13, as in this embodiment. In other words, during the process of flowing the molten liquid 11 into the molding die 13, it is preferable not to move the separating member 16. This makes it easier to maintain a constant thickness of the molten liquid 11. This allows for more reliable suppression of solidification of the molten liquid 11 near the piping 4, and more reliable suppression of partial melting of the solidified portion. Therefore, it allows for more reliable suppression of corrugations in the glass 18.

[0055] Alternatively, the molten metal 11 can flow into the molding die 13 from the bottom part 14, close to the pipe 4, while the molding die 13 is moved away from the pipe 4. Once the molten metal 11 reaches a certain thickness within the molding die 13, the molding die 13 is slid as described above, allowing the molten metal 11 to flow into the molding die 13. This further suppresses contact between the molten metal 11 and external air. This is particularly suitable when the inflow portion 17 is thick.

[0056] The proportions of the materials contained in the raw material 6 in this embodiment are adjusted in such a way that glass 18 with the following composition is formed. In the description of the composition of glass 18, "%" refers to "mol%". In addition, for example, the total content of A, B and C is sometimes recorded as "content of A+B+C" or "A+B+C".

[0057] The glass 18 formed by the method of this embodiment contains, as a glass composition, more than 0% and less than 50% of Ge, more than 0% and less than 50% of Ga, 30% to 90% of Te, more than 0% and less than 40% of Ag+Al+Ti+Cu+In+Sn+Bi+Cr+Zn+Mn, and 0% to 50% of F+Cl+Br+I, in molar ratio.

[0058] Ge is a component used to form the glass framework. Furthermore, Ge is a half-metallic element. The Ge content is more than 0% and less than 50%, preferably 2% to 40%, more preferably 4% to 35%, even more preferably 5% to 30%, further preferably 7% to 25%, and even more preferably 10% to 20%. If the Ge content is too low, vitrification becomes difficult. On the other hand, if the Ge content is too high, Ge-based crystals tend to precipitate more easily, and the raw material cost tends to increase.

[0059] Ga is a component used to improve the thermal stability (vitrification stability) of glass. Furthermore, Ga is a metallic element. The Ga content is more than 0% and less than 50%, preferably 1% to 45%, more preferably 2% to 40%, even more preferably 4% to 30%, further preferably 5% to 25%, and even more preferably 10% to 20%. If the Ga content is too low, vitrification becomes difficult. On the other hand, if the Ga content is too high, Ga-based crystals tend to precipitate more easily, and the raw material cost tends to increase.

[0060] Te, as a chalcogenide, is an essential component for forming the glass framework. Furthermore, Te is a half-metal. The Te content is 30% to 90%, preferably 40% to 89%, more preferably 50% to 88%, further preferably 60% to 86%, and even more preferably 70% to 85%. If the Te content is too low, vitrification becomes difficult. On the other hand, if the Te content is too high, Te-based crystals tend to precipitate easily.

[0061] Ag+Al+Ti+Cu+In+Sn+Bi+Cr+Zn+Mn is a metallic element. By including these metallic elements in the glass, its thermal stability can be improved. The content of Ag+Al+Ti+Cu+In+Sn+Bi+Cr+Zn+Mn is 0% to 40%, preferably more than 0% and less than 30%, more preferably more than 0% and less than 20%, and even more preferably 0.1% to 10%. If the content of Ag+Al+Ti+Cu+In+Sn+Bi+Cr+Zn+Mn is too low or too high, vitrification becomes difficult. Furthermore, the content of each component of Ag+Al+Ti+Cu+In+Sn+Bi+Cr+Zn+Mn is 0% to 40%, preferably 0% to 30% (at least one component exceeding 0%), more preferably 0% to 20% (at least one component exceeding 0%), and even more preferably 0.1% to 10%. Among these, considering the particularly significant effect on improving the thermal stability of the glass, Ag and / or Sn are preferred.

[0062] In addition to the components described above, the glass formed in this embodiment may also contain, for example, the following components.

[0063] F, Cl, Br, and I are also components that improve the thermal stability of glass. The content of F+Cl+Br+I is 0% to 50%, preferably 1% to 40%, more preferably 1% to 30%, further preferably 1% to 25%, and particularly preferably 1% to 20%. When the content of F+Cl+Br+I is too high, vitrification becomes difficult, and weather resistance is easily reduced. In addition, the content of each component of F, Cl, Br, and I is 0% to 50%, preferably 1% to 40%, more preferably 1% to 30%, further preferably 1% to 25%, and particularly preferably 1% to 20%. Among these, I is preferred from the perspective of being able to use elemental raw materials and having a particularly large effect on improving the stability of glass.

[0064] The thermal stability can be improved by including Si, Sb, and Cs. Si and Sb are half-metals. The Si+Sb+Cs content is preferably 0%–40%, more preferably 0%–30%, further preferably 0%–20%, and even more preferably 0.1%–10%.

[0065] S is a component that expands the glass transition range and easily improves the thermal stability of glass. Its content is preferably 0% to 30%, more preferably 0% to 20%, further preferably 0% to 10%, and particularly preferably 0% to 3%. When the content of S is too high, the transmittance of infrared rays with wavelengths above 10 μm becomes easily reduced.

[0066] Se and As are components that broaden the glass transition range and easily improve the thermal stability of glass. Their contents are preferably 0% to 10%, more preferably 0.5% to 5%. However, since these substances are toxic, as mentioned above, from the viewpoint of reducing the impact on the environment and human health, it is preferable that they are substantially absent.

[0067] Furthermore, the aforementioned glass preferably does not substantially contain toxic substances Cd, Tl, and Pb. Here, "substantially does not contain" means that the content is less than 0.1%.

[0068] The proportion of metal in raw material 6, by volume percent, is preferably 80% or more, 85% or more, and particularly 90% or more. This allows raw material 6 to be easily melted by induction heating. Therefore, it is also possible to easily and rapidly heat or cool down using heating obtained by radiation, thereby improving productivity. There is no particular upper limit; for example, it can be set to 100%, 99%, or particularly 98% or less.

[0069] (Second Implementation)

[0070] Figure 5 This is a schematic perspective view of the molding die used in the glass manufacturing method of the second embodiment. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the molding die 23 has a semi-cylindrical shape. In this embodiment, glass can be formed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0071] The molding die 23 has a wall portion 25. The wall portion 25 includes a curved surface portion in a semi-cylindrical shape and two opposite semi-circular portions. A semi-cylindrical partition member 26 is disposed within the molding die 23. The partition member 26 contacts the wall portion 25 of the molding die 23. The portion corresponding to one of the opposite semi-circular surfaces in the wall portion 25 is the opposing portion 25a. The molding die 23 can be supported using guide rails, suitable supports, etc. Furthermore, the shape of the molding die is not limited to the shapes in the first embodiment and this embodiment.

[0072] In this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, oxidation of the molten liquid 11 can be easily suppressed, thereby improving glass production efficiency. Furthermore, glass ripples can also be suppressed. According to this embodiment, a columnar glass with a semi-circular bottom surface can be obtained. Precast glass can also be manufactured by grinding, polishing, and cleaning this glass. Additionally, optical components such as lenses can be manufactured by molding the precast glass.

[0073] (Third Implementation)

[0074] Figure 6This is a schematic perspective view of the molding die used in the glass manufacturing method of the third embodiment. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the molding die 33 is approximately cylindrical in shape. In this embodiment, glass can be formed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0075] The molding die 33 has a wall portion 35. The wall portion 35 includes a curved surface portion in a generally cylindrical shape and two generally circular opposite surfaces. A generally cylindrical partition member 36 is disposed within the molding die 33. The partition member 36 contacts the wall portion 35 of the molding die 33. The portion corresponding to one of the two generally circular opposite surfaces in the wall portion 35 is the opposing portion 35a. The molding die 33 can be supported by guide rails, suitable supports, etc. Furthermore, the shape of the molding die is not limited to the shapes in the first embodiment and this embodiment.

[0076] In this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, oxidation of the molten liquid 11 can be easily suppressed, thereby improving glass production efficiency. Furthermore, glass ripples can also be suppressed. According to this embodiment, a substantially cylindrical glass can be obtained. Precast glass can also be manufactured by grinding, polishing, and cleaning this glass. Additionally, optical components such as lenses can be manufactured by molding the precast glass. Since optical components such as lenses often have a circular planar shape, when forming a substantially cylindrical glass according to this embodiment, the processing required for lens manufacturing can be reduced, thereby improving the yield rate.

[0077] Symbol Explanation

[0078] 1…Container; 2…Bottom; 3…Side wall; 4…Piping; 5…Outer sleeve; 6…Raw material; 7…Cap; 8…Gas supply pipe; 9…Gas exhaust pipe; 10A…Coil; 10B…Coil; 11…Melted liquid; 11a…Heterogeneous layer; 12…Plug; 13…Mold; 14…Bottom surface; 15…Wall; 15a…Opposite part; 16…Separating component; 17…Inlet; 18…Glass; 23…Mold; 25…Wall; 25a…Opposite part; 26…Separating component; 33…Mold; 35…Wall; 35a…Opposite part; 36…Separating component.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing glass, characterized in that, include: The process of flowing the molten glass obtained by melting the raw glass material into a molding die; and The process of obtaining glass by cooling the molten metal. The glass is a chalcogenide compound glass. A partition member is disposed within the molding die, forming an inflow section enclosed by the molding die and the partition member. The process of allowing the molten metal to flow into the molding die is performed in an atmospheric atmosphere. In the process of allowing the molten liquid to flow into the molding die, a heterogeneous layer is formed on the surface of the molten liquid flowing into the inflow portion, and while the molding die is moved relative to the separating member to increase the volume of the inflow portion, the molten liquid flows between the bottom surface of the inflow portion and the heterogeneous layer.

2. The method for manufacturing glass as described in claim 1, characterized in that: During the process of allowing the molten liquid to flow into the molding die, the thickness of the molten liquid is kept constant while the molding die is moved relative to the separating component.

3. The method for manufacturing glass as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: In the process of allowing the molten liquid to flow into the molding die, only the molding die is moved.

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