Machinable Glass
Thoughts on Industrial Research
What additional uses for glass would there he if glass could be machinable like a metal or wood? As one outcome of a major effort, over many years, of crystallization from a glass medium, Corning Glass Works has produced a glass which, with simple heat treatment, develops a unique microstructure composed of a fine-grained network of interlocking mica flakes and interstitial glass. A necessary eonstituent to cause the crystallization of a mica is maenesunfluoride. The resulting glass-ceramics can be machined to cl&e tolerances and surface finish (much like brass or cold-rolled steel). They show less sensitivity to surface damage and have greater resistance to brittle fracture than do other ceramic materials. They withstand relatively high temperature. The dielectric strength and resistivity are high and the dielectric loss is low. They are used for precision dielectric components, insulators, components for high vacuum systems and as an electromagnetic window material.
One often hears the statement: A company exists to make money. While true this simple statement omits far more than i t includes. It would he more accurate to state: A company exists to supply something for which some segment of the public is willing to pay. The something may be a product, a process, or a service. Furthermore, the price must be right because, if it isn't, the market will go to a competitor. Sa if one finds in industry what seems to be an over concern with money, there 1s areason. A chemist working for a company wants to know if its health is good. W. C. Fernelius
Beall, G. H.,U. S. Patent3,689,293, July8,1970; Chen. Abstracts 76, 89480w (1972). Beall, G. H., ~ o k t i e r t hM. , R., and Smith, G. P.,Microteenie, 26(3), 173-6 (1972); Chem Abstracts 77,78942t (1972).
"The guy who works the hardest seems to have the most luck."
W. Conard Fernelius
Allan R. Dragone, President Celanese Corporation.
200
Journal of Chemical Education
