Importance

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Abstract

Disclosed is an assembly or matrix comprising an arrangement of integrally fused tubes forming a series of nonporous, longitudinal parallel passageways therethrough. The matrix is of a low-expansion ceramic material and the passageways therethrough have thin walls; a high proportion of the cross-sectional or frontal area of the matrix is free open area. Also disclosed are methods for making such a matrix from glass tubes that are thermally crystallizable; one method involves longitudinally bundling the tubes with their ends sealed and heating the assembly to soften, expand and fuse the tubes in a heat treatment schedule that also nucleates and thermally crystallizes the matrix to the final ceramic product. Another embodiment involves superimposing a plurality of layers of tubes, one layer above the other in successive parallel planes, with the tubes in each plane being essentially parallel to each other and transverse to the tubes in adjacent layers. The matrix of tubes, each with its ends sealed, is heated to soften, expand and fuse the tubes. The sealed ends are opened and a plurality of such matrices are assembled into an annular structure, each matrix being separated from adjacent matrices by a wedge-shaped member.

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First Claim