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Gels and Gel-Derived Glasses in the Na2o-B2o3-Sio2 System
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 February 2011
Abstract
The containerless melting of high-purity multicomponent homogeneous gels and gel-monoliths offers a unique approach to making ultrapure multicomponent optical glasses in the reduced gravity environment of space. Procedures for preparing and characterizing gels and gel-derived glasses in the Na 2o-B2o3-SiO2 system are described. Preparation is based on tLe polymerization reactions of alkoxysilane with trimethyl borate or boric acid and a suitable sodium compound. The chemistry of the gelling process is discussed in terms of process parameters and the gel compositions. The physicochemical nature of gels prepared by three different procedures were found to be significantly different. Infrared absorption spectra indicate finite differences in the molecular structures of the different gels. The melting of the gel powders and the transformation of porous gel-monoliths to transparent “glass” without melting are described.
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- Copyright © Materials Research Society 1982
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