Patent ID: 6571582
Filing Date: 2003-06-03
Classification: C03B,C03C

Abstract:
Process for the manufacture of a silica glass body comprising:(a) preparing a sol by mixing silica particles and water, the silica particles having a surface area defined by the range 5-25 m2 per gram, and containing at least 85% spherical particles, with the ratio by weight of silica particles to water being greater than 65%, (b) adding less than 2% by weight based on the weight of silica particles of a water soluble base to adjust the pH of the sol to a value in the range 10-13, (c) adding a gelling agent to the sol, (d) casting the sol into a mold, (e) gelling the sol in the mold to form a gelled body in the shape of the mold, (f) removing the gelled body from the mold, and (g) firing the gelled body to consolidate the gelled body into a vitreous silica body.