A process of forming a sintered article includes heating a green portion of a tape of polycrystalline ceramic and/or minerals in organic binder at a binder removal zone to a temperature sufficient to pyrolyze the binder; horizontally conveying the portion of tape with organic binder removed from the binder removal zone to a sintering zone; and sintering polycrystalline ceramic and/or minerals of the portion of tape at the sintering zone, wherein the tape simultaneously extends through the removal and sintering zones.

A process of forming a sintered article includes heating a green portion of a tape of polycrystalline ceramic and/or minerals in organic binder at a binder removal zone to a temperature sufficient to pyrolyze the binder; horizontally conveying the portion of tape with organic binder removed from the binder removal zone to a sintering zone; and sintering polycrystalline ceramic and/or minerals of the portion of tape at the sintering zone, wherein the tape simultaneously extends through the removal and sintering zones.

A strengthened cover glass or glass-ceramic sheet or article as well as processes and systems for making the strengthened glass or glass-ceramic sheet or article is provided for use in consumer electronic devices. The process comprises cooling the cover glass sheet by non-contact thermal conduction for sufficiently long to fix a surface compression and central tension of the sheet. The process results in thermally strengthened cover glass sheets for use in or on consumer electronic products.

A strengthened cover glass or glass-ceramic sheet or article as well as processes and systems for making the strengthened glass or glass-ceramic sheet or article is provided for use in consumer electronic devices. The process comprises cooling the cover glass sheet by non-contact thermal conduction for sufficiently long to fix a surface compression and central tension of the sheet. The process results in thermally strengthened cover glass sheets for use in or on consumer electronic products.

A system, process and related sintered article are provided. The process includes supporting a piece of inorganic material with a pressurized gas and sintering the piece of inorganic material while supported by the pressurized gas by heating the piece of inorganic material to a temperature at or above a sintering temperature of the inorganic material such that the inorganic material is at least partially sintered forming the sintered article. The inorganic material is not in contact with a solid support during sintering. The sintered article, such as a ceramic article, is thin, has high surface quality, and/or has large surface areas.

A system, process and related sintered article are provided. The process includes supporting a piece of inorganic material with a pressurized gas and sintering the piece of inorganic material while supported by the pressurized gas by heating the piece of inorganic material to a temperature at or above a sintering temperature of the inorganic material such that the inorganic material is at least partially sintered forming the sintered article. The inorganic material is not in contact with a solid support during sintering. The sintered article, such as a ceramic article, is thin, has high surface quality, and/or has large surface areas.

Thermally treating a glass sheet by holding the glass sheet between first and second gas bearings, the glass sheet having first and second major surfaces on opposite sides thereof and an edge surface surrounding the sheet and connecting the first and second major surfaces, the glass sheet being held with the first major surface adjacent to the first gas bearing and the second major surface adjacent to the second gas bearing, a glass of the glass sheet having a glass softening temperature, and, while holding the glass sheet between the first and second gas bearings, maintaining the glass sheet at a viscosity (t) for a time t such that the value of the expression (30 MPa times the integral from 0 to t of t/(t) with respect to t) is within the range of from 10 to 10.sup.6.

A strengthened architectural glass or glass-ceramic sheet or article as well as processes and systems for making the strengthened architectural glass or glass-ceramic sheet or article is provided. The process comprises cooling the architectural glass sheet by non-contact thermal conduction for sufficiently long to fix a surface compression and central tension of the sheet. The process results in thermally strengthened architectural glass sheets that may be incorporated into one or more panes in single or multi-pane windows.

A strengthened architectural glass or glass-ceramic sheet or article as well as processes and systems for making the strengthened architectural glass or glass-ceramic sheet or article is provided. The process comprises cooling the architectural glass sheet by non-contact thermal conduction for sufficiently long to fix a surface compression and central tension of the sheet. The process results in thermally strengthened architectural glass sheets that may be incorporated into one or more panes in single or multi-pane windows.

To improve the production yield rate of a synthesis corundum cell superior in translucency, chemical resistance or an optical component comprising calcium fluoride. On the other end side of synthetic corundum piece, spacer intervenes between the surfaces which will be bonded. The spacer is crushed flat by pressure force which effects the other end side of synthetic corundum piece in the case of heat-treatment after the temporary bonding. Thereby, the spacer does not disturb the synthetic optical contacting or chemical pressurized fusion bonding state of corundum piece.