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 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.

A strengthened automotive glass-based sheet or automotive glass laminate as well as processes and systems for making the strengthened automotive glass-based sheet or automotive laminate is provided. The process comprises cooling the 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 automotive glass sheets and automotive laminates.

A strengthened automotive glass-based sheet or automotive glass laminate as well as processes and systems for making the strengthened automotive glass-based sheet or automotive laminate is provided. The process comprises cooling the 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 automotive glass sheets and automotive laminates.

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.

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.

A strengthened glass sheet product along with a process and an apparatus for strengthening a glass sheet are provided. The process comprises cooling the 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 glass sheets having improved breakage properties.