The purpose of the present invention is to provide a chemically-strengthened glass exhibiting both surface strength and abrasion-resistant anti-fingerprint (AFP) properties. The present invention relates to a plate-shaped chemically-strengthened glass which has a compressive stress layer provided to a glass surface layer, a glass surface hydrogen concentration profile in a specific range, and a surface strength and abrasion-resistant anti-fingerprint (AFP) properties which are in specific ranges.

The present invention provides a method for evaluating a processing deterioration level of a medical glass container, including (a) a step of imaging a surface of a medical glass container molded from a borosilicate glass tube to obtain an image, and (b) a step of analyzing a contrast of the image. The method is particularly useful to evaluate the amount of alkali substances which are deposited on the inner side surface of a medical glass container.

Methods of characterizing ion-exchanged chemically strengthened Li-containing glasses include: a) measuring a mode spectrum of the glass sample; b) using the mode spectrum, estimating a first contribution to the center tension associated with a spike region and estimating a second contribution to the center tension due to a deep region only, wherein the deep region is assumed to follow a power-law stress profile; and c) determining a total center tension by adding of the first and second contributions to the center tension. The methods can be used for quality control during manufacturing of glass samples by comparing the total center tension to a center tension specification that provides optimum strength and durability.

A glass strength evaluation apparatus includes a support unit, a plate disposed on the support unit and including a surface on which a glass article, which is a target to be tested, is disposed, a fixing jig disposed on the plate and a power unit lifting up or down the fixing jig in a vertical direction toward the surface of the plate. The fixing jig includes a body portion, which extends in the vertical direction and lower fixing bolts. A press-fitting member insertion opening is recessed from a bottom of the body portion to extend in an upward direction, lower fixing bolt insertion holes penetrate the body portion, from one side of the body portion, in a first horizontal direction intersecting the vertical direction, to be extended to the press-fitting insertion opening, and lower fixing bolts are coupled into the lower fixing bolt insertion holes.

An improved method and apparatus for determination of the absolute coefficient of thermal expansion of materials, including ultralow expansion materials, utilizes a metrology frame that is regulated within a first narrow temperature range that varies by only a small fraction of a degree Celsius from a set point temperature (e.g., less than about 0.01° C. from the set point temperature), while the temperature of the sample is varied to determine the coefficient of thermal expansion over a larger temperature range (e.g., 30, 40 or 50° C.). The method and apparatus permit determination of the coefficient of thermal expansion of a material to levels approaching 10.sup.−9/° C.

A method for measuring the distribution of the thickness of glass in glass containers at a high temperature comprises: selecting at least one inspection area of the containers, so that the thickness relationship of the glass as a function of the infrared radiation intensity is homogeneous over the whole inspection area, measuring, for each inspection area the glass thickness of the container in at least one movement point belonging to the inspection area, by means of a contactless point-like thickness measurement system, measuring by means of a sensor sensitive to infrared radiation, which is emitted by the container, determining, for each inspection area, a relationship between the measurement of the thickness taken at the measurement point and the infrared radiation, and from the relationship and the relevant infrared radiation of each inspection area, determining the glass distribution of the container over each inspection area.

A molten material apparatus can include a container including a wall at least partially defining a containment area and an opening extending through the wall. The molten material apparatus can include a protective sleeve mounted at least partially within the opening of the wall of the container. A thermocouple can be positioned within an internal bore of the protective sleeve. A method of processing molten material can include inserting a thermocouple into a protective sleeve fabricated from a refractory ceramic material, and measuring a temperature of material within a containment area of a container with the thermocouple.

Optical techniques for determining thermal properties of materials are described. Optical techniques include Raman scattering and thermal properties include relative length change and coefficient of thermal expansion. Correlations of features of bands observed in the Raman spectra of several glasses with thermal properties of the glasses are demonstrated. The technique provides a convenient method for determining thermal expansion properties of materials.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a chemically-strengthened glass exhibiting both surface strength and abrasion-resistant anti-fingerprint (AFP) properties. The present invention relates to a plate-shaped chemically-strengthened glass which has a compressive stress layer provided to a glass surface layer, a glass surface hydrogen concentration profile in a specific range, and a surface strength and abrasion-resistant anti-fingerprint (AFP) properties which are in specific ranges.

Disclosed is an improved system and method to evaluate the status of a material. The system and method are operative to identify flaws and measure the erosion profile and thickness of different materials, including refractory materials, using electromagnetic waves. The system is designed to reduce a plurality of reflections, associated with the propagation of electromagnetic waves launched into the material under evaluation, by a sufficient extent so as to enable detection of electromagnetic waves of interest reflected from remote discontinuities of the material. Furthermore, the system and method utilize a configuration and signal processing techniques that reduce clutter and enable the isolation of electromagnetic waves of interest. Moreover, the launcher is impedance matched to the material under evaluation, and the feeding mechanism is designed to mitigate multiple reflection effects to further suppress clutter.