A solid state method of producing inorganic nanoparticles using glass is disclosed. The nanoparticles may not be formed until the glass is reacted with or degraded by contact with a fluid in vivo or in vitro.

Glass flakes of the present invention have an average particle diameter of 0.1 to 15 μm and an average thickness of 0.1 to 2 μm. The glass flakes have a particle size distribution in which the particle diameter at 99% of the cumulative volume from the smaller particle diameter is 45 μm or less, and the maximum particle diameter of the glass flakes is 62 μm or less.

Glass flakes of the present invention have an average particle diameter of 0.1 to 15 μm and an average thickness of 0.1 to 2 μm. The glass flakes have a particle size distribution in which the particle diameter at 99% of the cumulative volume from the smaller particle diameter is 45 μm or less, and the maximum particle diameter of the glass flakes is 62 μm or less.

An invention is provided for creating smoothed, heat-treated glass fragments. The invention includes placing a plurality of heat-treated glass fragments into a tumbling or vibrating apparatus. Each heat-treated glass fragment is formed from glass that has been heated to a temperature of at least 1000° Fahrenheit and rapidly cooled to a temperature below 800° Fahrenheit. The plurality of glass fragments is then tumbled or vibrated for a predetermined period of time such that surfaces of the heat-treated glass fragments are smoother than prior to tumbling. The glass fragments are thereafter removed from the tumbling apparatus, resulting in smoothed, heat-treated glass fragments that have a slightly rounded, bead like-shape and are suitable for direct handling without hand protection. The glass fragments as are able to be provide radiant heat in the temperature range of 400° to 800° Fahrenheit. This temperature range and the use of the heat-treated glass fragments provides for a clean burning fire that virtually eliminates any soot and carbon monoxide while burning.

An invention is provided for creating smoothed, heat-treated glass fragments. The invention includes placing a plurality of heat-treated glass fragments into a tumbling or vibrating apparatus. Each heat-treated glass fragment is formed from glass that has been heated to a temperature of at least 1000° Fahrenheit and rapidly cooled to a temperature below 800° Fahrenheit. The plurality of glass fragments is then tumbled or vibrated for a predetermined period of time such that surfaces of the heat-treated glass fragments are smoother than prior to tumbling. The glass fragments are thereafter removed from the tumbling apparatus, resulting in smoothed, heat-treated glass fragments that have a slightly rounded, bead like-shape and are suitable for direct handling without hand protection. The glass fragments as are able to be provide radiant heat in the temperature range of 400° to 800° Fahrenheit. This temperature range and the use of the heat-treated glass fragments provides for a clean burning fire that virtually eliminates any soot and carbon monoxide while burning.

[Object] To provide inorganic oxide flakes having excellent resistance to radiation damage. [Solving Means] Inorganic oxide flakes mainly composed of SiO.sub.2, Al.sub.2O.sub.3, CaO, and Fe.sub.2O.sub.3 are presented. The mass percentages of the components in terms of oxide in the flakes are set as follows: i) the sum of SiO.sub.2 and Al.sub.2O.sub.3 is from 40% by mass to 70% by mass; ii) the ratio Al.sub.2O.sub.3/(SiO.sub.2+Al.sub.2O.sub.3) (mass ratio) is in the range of 0.15 to 0.40; iii) the content of Fe.sub.2O.sub.3 is from 16% by mass to 25% by mass; and iv) the content of CaO is from 5% by mass to 30% by mass. The inorganic oxide flakes have enhanced resistance to radiation damage.

[Object] To provide inorganic oxide flakes having excellent resistance to radiation damage. [Solving Means] Inorganic oxide flakes mainly composed of SiO.sub.2, Al.sub.2O.sub.3, CaO, and Fe.sub.2O.sub.3 are presented. The mass percentages of the components in terms of oxide in the flakes are set as follows: i) the sum of SiO.sub.2 and Al.sub.2O.sub.3 is from 40% by mass to 70% by mass; ii) the ratio Al.sub.2O.sub.3/(SiO.sub.2+Al.sub.2O.sub.3) (mass ratio) is in the range of 0.15 to 0.40; iii) the content of Fe.sub.2O.sub.3 is from 16% by mass to 25% by mass; and iv) the content of CaO is from 5% by mass to 30% by mass. The inorganic oxide flakes have enhanced resistance to radiation damage.

Glass flakes of the present invention include glass flake substrates and a coating covering at least a portion of the surface of each of the glass flake substrates and composed of a binder. The binder includes a lubricant other than silicone, or a lubricant and an aminosilane. The proportion of the lubricant in the binder is 30 mass % or less.

Glass flakes of the present invention include glass flake substrates and a coating covering at least a portion of the surface of each of the glass flake substrates and composed of a binder. The binder includes a lubricant other than silicone, or a lubricant and an aminosilane. The proportion of the lubricant in the binder is 30 mass % or less.

Glass flakes according to the present invention include: glass flake substrates; and a coating covering at least a portion of a surface of each of the glass flake substrates and composed of a binder. The binder includes a bismaleimide compound, a resin, and a silane coupling agent as essential components and includes a peroxide as an optional component. The proportion of the peroxide in the binder is 8 mass % or less.