An article is described herein which includes: a transparent substrate having a primary surface; and a protective film disposed on the primary surface, such that each of the substrate and the protective film have an optical transmittance of 20% or more in the visible spectrum, and such that the protective film includes at least one of: (1) a hardness of greater than 13 GPa, as measured by a Berkovich nanoindenter, or (2) an effective fracture toughness (Kc) of greater than 2.5 MPa.Math.m.sup.1/2, as measured by indentation fracture at a depth of greater than 1 μm.

An article includes: a transparent substrate having a primary surface; and a protective film disposed on the primary surface, such that each of the substrate and the protective film have an optical transmittance of 20% or more in the visible spectrum, and such that the protective film includes at least one of: (1) a hardness of greater than 13 GPa, as measured by a Berkovich nanoindenter, or (2) an effective fracture toughness (Kc) of greater than 2.5 MPa.Math.m.sup.1/2, as measured by indentation fracture at a depth of greater than 1 μm.

A hydrophobic coating and a method for applying such a coating to a surface of a substrate. The method includes applying a coating composition to the surface and heating the coated surface at a cure temperature from about 300 C. to about 600 C. for a time from about 2 hours to about 48 hours. The coating composition is applied to the surface by an application method selected from the group consisting of flowing, dipping, and spraying. The coating composition comprises a yttrium compound, an additive selected from the group consisting of a cerium compound and a dispersion of yttrium oxide nanoparticles, a water-soluble polymer, and a solvent solution of de-ionized water and a water-soluble alcohol.

The present invention concerns a process to increase the mechanical and chemical resistance of a hydrolyzable network-forming silica gel coating provided on the surface of a substrate. According to the invention, a coating composition comprising a hydrolyzable, network-forming silica gel doped with a precursor of bismuth or cerium oxide is applied on the surface of the substrate. The present invention concerns also the product obtained by the said process.

A hydrophobic coating and a method for applying such a coating to a surface of a substrate. The method includes applying a coating composition to the surface and heating the coated surface at a cure temperature from about 300 C. to about 600 C. for a time from about 2 hours to about 48 hours. The coating composition is applied to the surface by an application method selected from the group consisting of flowing, dipping, and spraying. The coating composition comprises a yttrium compound, an additive selected from the group consisting of a cerium compound and a dispersion of yttrium oxide nanoparticles, a water-soluble polymer, and a solvent solution of de-ionized water and a water-soluble alcohol.

An article includes: a transparent substrate having a primary surface; and a protective film disposed on the primary surface, such that each of the substrate and the protective film have an optical transmittance of 20% or more in the visible spectrum, and such that the protective film includes at least one of: (1) a hardness of greater than 13 GPa, as measured by a Berkovich nanoindenter, or (2) an effective fracture toughness (Kc) of greater than 2.5 MPa.Math.m.sup.1/2, as measured by indentation fracture at a depth of greater than 1 m.

A hydrophobic coating and a method for applying such a coating to a surface of a substrate. The method includes applying a coating composition to the surface and heating the coated surface at a cure temperature from about 300 C. to about 600 C. for a time from about 2 hours to about 48 hours. The coating composition is applied to the surface by an application method selected from the group consisting of flowing, dipping, and spraying. The coating composition comprises a yttrium compound, an additive selected from the group consisting of a cerium compound and a dispersion of yttrium oxide nanoparticles, a water-soluble polymer, and a solvent solution of de-ionized water and a water-soluble alcohol.

A translucent material according to this invention includes a base made of a glass-based material, and an oxide layer layered in an upper direction (or on an upper surface) of the base. Examples of the base may include tempered glass using soda lime glass or aluminosilicate glass, heat-resistant glass mostly using borosilicate glass, and quartz glass. The oxide layer includes yttrium oxide (Y.sub.2O.sub.3) as a base material thereof and further includes nitrogen and a Group 4A element. The translucent material having such a composition is qualified to constitute a low-adhesion material and a molding member. When quartz glass is selected and used as the base material, an intermediate layer may be interposed between the base and the oxide layer.

The present invention concerns a process to increase the mechanical and chemical resistance of a hydrolyzable network-forming silica gel coating provided on the surface of a substrate. According to the invention, a coating composition comprising a hydrolyzable, network-forming silica gel doped with a precursor of bismuth or cerium oxide is applied on the surface of the substrate. The present invention concerns also the product obtained by the said process.

A hydrophobic coating and a method for applying such a coating to a surface of a substrate. The method includes applying a coating composition to the surface and heating the coated surface at a cure temperature from about 450 C. to about 600 C. for a time from about 8 hours to about 48 hours. The coating composition is applied to the surface by an application method selected from the group consisting of flowing, dipping, and spraying. The coating composition comprises a yttrium compound, an additive selected from the group consisting of a cerium compound and a dispersion of yttrium oxide nanoparticles, a water-soluble polymer, and a solvent solution of de-ionized water and a water-soluble alcohol.