Importance

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Abstract

Acid and alkali oxides are smelted for an extended period of time at a first elevated temperature above their melting temperatures. The smelted mixture is then quenched in water and fritted. The fritted mixture is then disposed between a pair of members which are to be hermetically sealed relative to each other. The fritted mixture is then at least partially fused in an oxygen atmosphere at a second temperature below the first temperature for a relatively short period of time. The at least partially fused mixture is then rapidly cooled in air. In this way, the mixture is provided with a partially amorphous state and a partially crystalline state. The crystals in the mixture are disposed primarily at the borders of at least a particular one of the members to be sealed. The mixture hermetically seals the two members, is resistant to acids and alkalis and inhibits the propagation of cracks. The mixture is particularly adapted to seal steels such as stainless steels and steel alloys including cobalt and molybdenum or including nickel and chromium. The mixture is also adapted to seal noble metals such as platinum and also alloys such as those including nickel.

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First Claim