LAS Glass Ceramic Zero Thermal Expansion Refining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glass ceramics for precision components suffer from thermal hysteresis and environmental concerns due to the use of toxic refining agents like arsenic oxide, which affects their thermal expansion characteristics and industrial scalability.
Innovation Solution
A lithium aluminum silicate (LAS) glass ceramic with a specific composition that includes SiO2, Li2O, MgO, ZnO, and fluorine, along with nucleating agents, is developed to achieve zero thermal expansion and reduced hysteresis within the temperature range of 10°C to 35°C, while minimizing the use of arsenic oxide to <0.05 mol% for environmental friendliness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If toxic refining agents like arsenic oxide are used to achieve good meltability and refining, then the glass ceramic achieves good processing properties, but environmental sustainability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes arsenic oxide and other toxic refining agents from the glass ceramic composition, extracting the harmful substance while maintaining the refining function through alternative means that achieve good meltability without environmental damage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of toxic refining agents into a beneficial outcome by using non-toxic alternatives that achieve the same refining purpose while improving environmental sustainability, thus turning a potentially harmful process into a clean and sustainable one
2Measurement precision
If thermal expansion characteristics are optimized for precision components, then measurement precision is improved, but thermal hysteresis increases affecting reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the glass ceramic, specifically optimizing the ratios of Li2O, Al2O3, SiO2, and adding controlled amounts of MgO and ZnO, to achieve a balance where both thermal expansion is minimized and thermal hysteresis is reduced, improving both precision and reliability
3Object-affected harmful factors
If arsenic oxide content is reduced to <0.05 mol% for environmental friendliness, then environmental sustainability is improved, but meltability and refining efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the compositional parameters by introducing MgO and ZnO as alternative refining agents and adjusting the Li2O-Al2O3-SiO2 base composition to facilitate meltability without relying on arsenic oxide, thus maintaining refining efficiency while achieving environmental friendliness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces MgO and ZnO as intermediary substances that mediate the refining process, replacing the toxic arsenic oxide while maintaining the necessary meltability and refining efficiency through their chemical properties
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The LAS glass ceramic achieves zero thermal expansion and minimal hysteresis, ensuring high precision and environmental sustainability in precision components, such as telescopes and lithography mirrors, with improved meltability and refining processes.
Implementation Method 1
achieve zero thermal expansion and reduced hysteresis within the temperature range of 10°C to 35°C
Implementation Method 2
thermal expansion characteristics
Implementation Method 3
nucleating agents
Implementation Method 4
refining processes
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a glass ceramic having improved thermal expansion characteristics and to the use thereof in a precision component.