Photosensitive Glass-Ceramic Patterning With Controlled Opalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing photosensitive glass systems struggle to produce patterned regions of glass and glass ceramics with controlled crystalline phases, particularly in regions exposed or shielded from ultraviolet radiation, leading to inconsistent opalization and potential material fracture.
Innovation Solution
Development of photosensitive lithium zinc aluminosilicate glasses that can be cerammed to form lithium-based glass ceramics with a β-quartz crystal structure, utilizing sensitizing agents like silver and nucleating agents like fluorine to create transparent or opalized regions based on UV exposure, with controlled crystallization to prevent material fracture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional photosensitive glass systems are used to produce patterned regions of glass and glass ceramic, then some crystalline phase formation is achieved, but the opalization is inconsistent and material fracture occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the glass system by incorporating specific ratios of ZnO (5-15 wt%), Al2O3 (5-15 wt%), SiO2 (60-80 wt%), and Li2O (2-10 wt%), along with sensitizing agents (CeO2, Ag) and nucleating agents (F-, Cl-). These parameter changes enable controlled crystallization to form β-quartz and other ceramic phases only in UV-exposed regions, achieving consistent opalization without material fracture by optimizing the chemical composition for selective cerammung.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating spatially differentiated properties within the glass article. UV-exposed regions undergo selective cerammung to form opaque glass ceramic with specific crystal phases, while unexposed regions remain transparent glass. This local transformation is achieved through photo-induced nucleation and crystallization only in illuminated areas, producing patterned regions with distinct optical and structural properties.
2Manufacturing precision
If sensitizing agents like silver and nucleating agents like fluorine are added to the glass, then controlled crystallization is achieved, but the glass composition becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of sensitizing and nucleating agents within specific ranges: CeO2 (0.01-2 wt%), Ag (0.01-1 wt%), and F- (1-10 wt%). By controlling these parameters within defined limits, the glass achieves reliable photo-induced crystallization without requiring excessive amounts of additives, thus managing compositional complexity while maintaining precise crystallization control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs multi-functional additives that serve multiple purposes. For example, CeO2 and Ag act as both sensitizing agents to absorb UV radiation and initiate crystallization, and nucleating agents to promote controlled crystal formation. The F- and Cl- ions simultaneously act as nucleating agents and network modifiers in the glass structure. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall composition while achieving precise crystallization control.
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
Enables the formation of composite glass articles with patterned transparent and opalized regions, utilizing compressive and tensile stress to prevent crack propagation, and allows for precise control over the formation of lithium-based glass ceramics.
Implementation Method 1
the lithium zinc aluminosilicate glass is photosensitive to ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength in a range from about 248 nm to about 360 nm
Implementation Method 2
Cerium and silver photosensitizers have been used in glass systems, such as FOTOFORM and FOTA-LITE, to produce photosensitive materials
Implementation Method 3
Glass-ceramics are nominally produced by a thermal process in which the as-made glass is thermally treated to produce a controlled crystalline phase
Implementation Method 4
at least one nucleating agent, wherein the lithium zinc aluminosilicate glass is negatively photosensitive
Data Source
AI summary
Photosensitive lithium zinc aluminosilicate glasses that can be selectively irradiated and cerammed to provide patterned regions of glass and lithium-based glass ceramic, and composite glass articles made from such glasses and glass ceramics are provided. The lithium zinc aluminosilicate glass can be negatively photosensitive or positively photosensitive to radiation having a wavelength in a range from about 248 nm to about 360 nm.