Transparent Composite Material

Abstract

The invention relates to a transparent composite material for various applications, having crystalline and amorphous inorganic materials with improved material properties.

Claims

1. Composite material, comprising amorphous inorganic material is directly bonded to a transparent crystalline inorganic material.

2. Composite material according to claim 1, wherein the amorphous inorganic material is a glass or a metal.

3. Composite material according to claim 1, wherein the transparent crystalline inorganic material is a monocrystal or a polycrystalline ceramics.

4. Composite material according to claim 1, wherein the transparent crystalline inorganic material is selected from oxides of the compounds comprising Al and/or Mg and/or yttrium; nitrides, oxynitrides or sulfides of aluminum or silicon; oxides of zirconium and/or yttrium, aluminum oxynitride; zinc sulfide; silicon carbide, boron carbide, boron nitride, carbon, lanthanum-doped lead zirconate titanate, or fluoride of Ca and/or Mg and/or aluminum having up to 5% dopants of the group consisting of the lanthanoids and/or actinides and/or ferrous or non-ferrous metals, or mixtures thereof.

5. Composite material according to claim 1, wherein the amorphous inorganic material has an index of refraction of >1.6.

6. Composite material according to claim 1, wherein the composite material has a temperature resistance of at least >400 C.

7. Composite material according to claim 1, wherein the amorphous inorganic material and/or the crystalline inorganic material have a compressive stress of >10 MPa, at least in part, in the composite material.

8. Composite material according to claim 1, wherein the amorphous inorganic material has a minimum viscosity of log()15, during production.

9. Composite material according to claim 1, wherein between the two temperatures of 20-300 C. and a volume ratio of amorphous inorganic material to crystalline inorganic material of >1, the coefficients of thermal expansion deviate from one another by CTE0.1.Math.10.sup.6 K.sup.1, the CTE.sub.amorphous being greater than the CTE.sub.crystalline.

10. Composite material according to claim 9, wherein the crystalline inorganic material, preferably ceramics, is significantly thinner than the amorphous inorganic material, the thickness ratio of crystalline to amorphous being 1:2.

11. Composite material according to claim 1, wherein between the two temperatures of 20-300 C. and a volume ratio of amorphous inorganic material to crystalline inorganic material of <1, the coefficients of thermal expansion deviate from one another by CTE0.1.Math.10.sup.6 K.sup.1, the CTE.sub.amorphous being less than the CTE.sub.crystalline.

12. Composite material according to claim 11, wherein the width of the amorphous inorganic layer between two crystalline inorganic layers is <5 mm.

13. Composite material according to claim 1, wherein the amorphous inorganic material is formed together with the transparent crystalline inorganic material, by means of transient bonding between softened inorganic material and crystalline material, and exhibits an integral bond after cooling.

14. Composite material according to claim 1, wherein the bond is created by joining surfaces having a roughness R.sub.a of <1 m.

15. Use of the composite material according to claim 1 as a screen, ballistic protective glass, spectacles glass, watch glass, steps, glass that can be walked on, dive computers, recessed floor luminaires, scanner disks, visors, sensors, camera ports, optical lenses, furnace windows, machine panes, or housings for intracorporeal use.

Description

[0079] The invention will be illustrated in the following figures and examples, in which:

[0080] FIG. 1 shows a composite material (1), consisting of a plurality of layers of the transparent crystalline inorganic (2) and amorphous inorganic material (3) (arranged in a surrounding manner)

[0081] FIG. 2 shows a composite material (1), consisting of a plurality of layers of the transparent crystalline inorganic (2) and amorphous inorganic material (3) (arranged on top of one another)

[0082] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a composite material 1 according to the invention. In this embodiment, said composite material consists of layers of the crystalline inorganic material 2 which are surrounded by layers of the amorphous inorganic material 3. As shown, the crystalline inorganic layers 2 can have different external dimensions. As described above, the crystalline inorganic layers 2 can be positioned such that the amorphous inorganic material 3 bonds said crystalline inorganic layers in the manner of a joint. Subsequently, said arrangement is tempered, resulting in the composite material 1.

[0083] FIG. 2 shows a composite material 1 according to the invention which consists of layers of the crystalline inorganic material 2 and layers of the amorphous inorganic material 3, which layers are arranged on top of one another. As shown, the crystalline inorganic layers 2 and the amorphous inorganic layers 3 can have different external dimensions. Subsequently, said arrangement is tempered, resulting in the composite material 1.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0084] 1. composite [0085] 2. crystalline inorganic material [0086] 3. amorphous inorganic material

EXAMPLE 1

[0087] 2 and 4 ceramics tiles consisting of magnesium aluminum spinel, of a size of 90907 mm and 45457 mm, were heated, together with glass of a thickness of 500 m having an index of refraction of n=1.720.03 at =588 nm, a CTE of 7.0.Math.10.sup.6 K.sup.1 at a temperature of between 20 and 300 C., and a transformation range of 610-680 C., to over 600 C., kept there, and cooled in a controlled manner. The arrangement resulted in a planar, extensive composite material having edge joining, in which the amorphous inorganic material surrounds the crystalline inorganic material in part.

[0088] After the lower relaxation limit of the glass had been exceeded, an edge join was formed between the glass and the ceramics, and the bone zone was subjected to compressive stress. The composite material thus produced has a transmission of >70% in the VIS range, in the bond region, and no total internal reflection was identified. UV tests, climatic resistance according to the MIL standard, and further processing in an autoclave, at temperatures of >80 C. and a pressure of >4 bar were ensured or could be performed in an error-free manner.

EXAMPLE 2

[0089] Boron silicate glass, of a thickness of 1 mm and having a transformation range of between 620 C. and 700 C. and a CTE of 7.0.Math.10.sup.6 K.sup.1, was placed on (on top of) and thermally bonded on a planar magnesium aluminum spinel ceramics material, polished on both sides and of a size of 1501000.2 mm, in a furnace, at a temperature of between 20 and 300 C., to form a composite material, such that the component became optically homogeneous and has a transmission of >80%. The treatment temperature was >600 C.

[0090] The composite material thus produced exhibits surface joining between the crystalline inorganic material and the amorphous inorganic material, and was subsequently loaded, at 500 N and by a steel ball having a diameter of 10 mm, on a steel substrate and using a Zwick testing machine, without the composite material being damaged.

EXAMPLE 3

[0091] In a further test, the composite material achieved in Example 2 underwent a chemical hardening process that is conventional for glass material. The composite material thus achieved had an overall strength of 580 MPa, in a ring on ring flexural strength test.

EXAMPLE 4

[0092] In a further example, the procedure was performed as in Example 2, but the glass used had a CTE of 10.4.Math.10.sup.6 K.sup.1 at a temperature of between 20 and 300 C., and had a thickness of 800 m, and the ceramics had a thickness of 200 m. As a result, a sandwich composite was produced by means of joining in a furnace.

[0093] The present invention is characterized in particular by the following preferred embodiments:

[0094] Embodiment 1: Composite material, characterized in that an amorphous inorganic material is bonded to a transparent crystalline inorganic material.

[0095] Embodiment 2: Composite material according to embodiment 1, wherein the amorphous inorganic material is a glass.

[0096] Embodiment 3: Composite material according to embodiment 1, wherein the amorphous inorganic material is a metal.

[0097] Embodiment 4: Composite material according to embodiment 1, wherein the crystalline inorganic material is a monocrystal.

[0098] Embodiment 5: Composite material according to embodiment 1, characterized in that the crystalline inorganic material is a polycrystalline ceramics.

[0099] Embodiment 6: Composite material according to any of embodiments 1-5, wherein the amorphous inorganic material is formed together with the transparent crystalline inorganic material, by means of transient bonding between softened amorphous inorganic material and crystalline inorganic material, and exhibits an integral bond after cooling.

[0100] Embodiment 7: Composite material according to any of embodiments 1-5, wherein the amorphous inorganic material is integrally bonded to the transparent crystalline inorganic material by means of ionic or covalent bonding, optionally forming a reaction zone.

[0101] Embodiment 8: Composite material according to either embodiment 6 or embodiment 7, wherein the viscosity of the amorphous inorganic material has changed during the joining process.

[0102] Embodiment 9: Composite material according to any of embodiments 6-8, wherein the crystalline inorganic material and/or the amorphous inorganic material has a compressive stress of >10 MPa, preferably >100 MPa, more preferably >300 MPa, at least in part, after joining.

[0103] Embodiment 11: Composite material according to any of claims 1-9, wherein the crystalline material is a cubic polycrystalline oxide ceramics of the system of aluminum, magnesium or aluminum and yttrium, or zirconium oxide and yttrium, or aluminum oxynitride.

[0104] Embodiment 12: Composite material according to any of embodiments 1-11, wherein the indices of refraction of the amorphous inorganic material and of the transparent crystalline inorganic material deviate from one another by less than 0.4, preferably by less than 0.2, and particularly preferably by less than 0.15 at =550-650 nm.

[0105] Embodiment 13: Composite material according to any of embodiments 1-11, wherein, between the two temperatures of 20-300 C. and a volume ratio of amorphous inorganic material to crystalline inorganic material of >1, the coefficients of thermal expansion deviate from one another by CTE0.1.Math.10.sup.6 K.sup.1, preferably by CTE3.Math.10.sup.6 K.sup.1, particularly preferably by CTE6.Math.10.sup.6 K.sup.1, wherein the CTE.sub.amorphous is greater than the CTE.sub.crystalline.

[0106] Embodiment 14: Composite material according to any of embodiments 1-11, wherein, between the two temperatures of 20T(log()=15) C. and a volume ratio of amorphous inorganic material to crystalline inorganic material of >1, the coefficients of thermal expansion deviate from one another by CTE0.5.Math.10.sup.6 K.sup.1, preferably by CTE3.Math.10.sup.6 K.sup.1, particularly preferably by CTE6.Math.10.sup.6 K.sup.1, wherein the CTE.sub.amorphous is greater than the CTE.sub.crystalline.

[0107] Embodiment 15: Composite material according to either embodiment 13 or embodiment 14, wherein the crystalline inorganic material, preferably ceramics, is significantly thinner than the amorphous inorganic material, wherein the thickness ratio of crystalline to amorphous is 1:2, preferably 1:4, particularly preferably 1:8.

[0108] Embodiment 16: Composite material according to any of embodiments 1-11, wherein, between the two temperatures of 20-300 C. and a volume ratio of amorphous inorganic material to crystalline inorganic material of <1, preferably <0.2, and particularly preferably <0.1, the coefficients of thermal expansion deviate from one another by CTE0.1.Math.10.sup.6 K.sup.1, preferably by CTE3.Math.10.sup.6 K.sup.1, particularly preferably by CTE6.Math.10.sup.6 K.sup.1, wherein the CTE.sub.amorphous is smaller than the CTE.sub.crystalline.

[0109] Embodiment 17: Composite material according to any of embodiments 1-11, wherein, between the two temperatures of 20T(log()=15) C. and a volume ratio of amorphous inorganic material to crystalline inorganic material of <1, preferably <0.2, and particularly preferably <0.1, the coefficients of thermal expansion deviate from one another by CTE0.1.Math.10.sup.6 K.sup.1, preferably by CTE3.Math.10.sup.6 K.sup.1, particularly preferably by CTE6.Math.10.sup.6 K.sup.1, wherein the CTE.sub.amorphous is smaller than the CTE.sub.crystalline.

[0110] Embodiment 18: Composite material according to either embodiment 16 or embodiment 17, wherein the crystalline inorganic material, preferably the ceramics, is significantly more extensive than the amorphous inorganic material, wherein the surface ratio of amorphous to crystalline is 1:2, preferably 1:5, particularly preferably 1:10, most preferably 1:100.

[0111] Embodiment 19: Composite material according to any of embodiments 1-18, wherein the composite material consists of a plurality of layers of the crystalline inorganic material and comprises a matrix of amorphous inorganic material.

[0112] Embodiment 20: Composite material according to embodiment 19 which is joined such that planar surfaces result.

[0113] Embodiment 21: Composite material according to embodiment 20, having a maximum surface extension of greater than 100100 mm.sup.2, preferably greater than 10001000 mm.sup.2, particularly preferably greater than 20002000 mm.sup.2.

[0114] Embodiment 22: Composite material according to any of embodiments 1-21, wherein fewer glass elements, together with more ceramics elements, are formed into a surface.

[0115] Embodiment 23: Composite material according to embodiment 21, wherein the ceramics thickness is <5, preferably <2, particularly preferably <0.2 mm.

[0116] Embodiment 24: Composite material according to embodiment 15, wherein the ceramics thickness is <5, preferably <2, particularly preferably <0.2 mm.

[0117] Embodiment 25: Composite material according to embodiment 18, wherein the ceramics thickness is <5, preferably <2, particularly preferably <0.2 mm.

[0118] Embodiment 26: Composite material according to either embodiment 24 or embodiment 25, wherein the amorphous inorganic material, preferably the glass, was thermally stressed after joining.

[0119] Embodiment 27: Composite material according to either embodiment 24 or embodiment 25, wherein the amorphous inorganic material, preferably the glass, was thermally stressed after joining.

[0120] Embodiment 28: Composite material according to either embodiment 26 or embodiment 27, wherein the outer layers of crystalline inorganic material, preferably of ceramics, are subjected to compressive stress, i.e. mechanical stress.

[0121] Embodiment 29: Composite material according to any of embodiments 1-28, wherein said composite material has a transmission, in the range of =2000 nm to 4000 nm, of >70%, preferably >80%, particularly preferably >85%.

[0122] Embodiment 30: Composite material according to any of embodiments 1-29, wherein the amorphous inorganic material has an index of refraction of >1.6, preferably 1.65, particularly preferably 1.7.

[0123] Embodiment 31: Composite material according to any of embodiments 1-30, wherein both the crystalline inorganic material and the amorphous inorganic material have a temperature resistance (softening temperature) of >400 C., preferably >600 C.

[0124] Embodiment 32: Composite material according to any of embodiments 1-31, wherein a plurality of layers of the crystalline inorganic material, preferably the ceramics, are combined to a thickness of >20 mm, preferably >30 mm, particularly preferably >40 mm.

[0125] Embodiment 33: Composite material according to any of embodiments 1-19 or 22-29, wherein the composite material is tubular.

[0126] Embodiment 34: Composite material according to any of embodiments 1-33, wherein the amorphous inorganic material compensates for unevenness of the crystalline inorganic material (index of refraction and wetting).

[0127] Embodiment 35: Composite material according to any of embodiments 1-34, wherein the amorphous inorganic material is a glass comprising 0-15 mol. % lanthanum, 0-15 mol. % lead, 0-15 mol. % barium, and silicon and/or aluminum and/or boron.

[0128] Embodiment 36: Composite material according to any of embodiments 1-35, wherein the bond between amorphous inorganic material and crystalline inorganic material is created by using a vacuum furnace, a normal furnace, a thermal tempering furnace, a heating press, a hot isostatic press, a FAST or SPS.

[0129] Embodiment 37: Composite material according to any of embodiments 1-36, wherein the bond is created by joining surfaces having a roughness Ra of <1 m, preferably <0.1 m, and particularly preferably <0.01 m.

[0130] Embodiment 39: Composite material according to either embodiment 6 or embodiment 7, wherein the amorphous inorganic material has a minimum viscosity of log()15, preferably log()13, particularly preferably log()8 during joining.

[0131] Embodiment 40: Composite material according to any of embodiments 13-15, wherein the crystalline inorganic material has a compressive stress of >10 MPa, preferably >100 MPa, particularly preferably >300 MPa, at least in part, after joining.

[0132] Embodiment 41: Composite material according to any of embodiments 13-15, wherein the crystalline inorganic material and the amorphous inorganic material have a compressive stress of >10 MPa, preferably >100 MPa, particularly preferably >300 MPa, at least in part, after joining.

[0133] Embodiment 42: Composite material according to any of embodiments 16-18, wherein the amorphous inorganic material has a compressive stress of >10 MPa, preferably >100 MPa, particularly preferably >300 MPa, at least in part, after joining.

[0134] Embodiment 43: Use of the composite material according to any of embodiments 1-40 as a screen, ballistic protective glass, spectacles glass, watch glass, steps, glass that can be walked on, dive computers, recessed floor luminaires, scanner disks, visors, sensors, camera ports, optical lenses, furnace windows, machine panes, or housings for intracorporeal use.

[0135] The present invention relates to a transparent composite material for various applications, consisting of crystalline and amorphous inorganic material having improved material properties.