Vanadium-based frit materials, and/or methods of making the same

Abstract

Certain example embodiments relate to improved seals for glass articles. Certain example embodiments relate to a composition used for sealing an insulted glass unit. In certain example embodiments the composition includes vanadium oxide, barium oxide, zinc oxide, and at least one additional additive. For instance, another additive that is a different metal oxide or different metal chloride may be provided. In certain example embodiments, a vacuum insulated glass unit includes first and second glass substrates that are sealed together with a seal that includes the above-described composition.

Claims

1. A method of making a frit material, the method comprising: providing a composition to a holder, the composition comprising: TABLE-US-00012 Ingredient Wt. % vanadium oxide ~50-60%, barium oxide ~27-33%, zinc oxide  ~9-12%;  and at least one additive; melting the composition; cooling the melted composition and/or allowing the melted composition to cool so as to form an intermediate glass article; grinding the intermediate glass article in making the frit material; and wherein the at least one additive comprises Nb.sub.2O.sub.5 and constitutes between about 2-8 wt. %.

2. A method of making a frit material, the method comprising: providing a composition to a holder, the composition comprising: TABLE-US-00013 Ingredient Wt. % vanadium oxide ~50-60%, barium oxide ~27-33%, zinc oxide  ~9-12%;  and at least one additive; melting the composition; cooling the melted composition and/or allowing the melted composition to cool so as to form an intermediate glass article; grinding the intermediate glass article in making the frit material; and wherein the at least one additive comprises Ta.sub.2O.sub.5 and constitutes between about 4.5-10 wt. %.

3. A method of making a VIG window unit, comprising providing the frit of claim 1 between first and second glass substrates and melting the frit in forming an edge seal between first and second glass substrates of the VIG window unit.

4. A method of making a VIG window unit, comprising providing the frit of claim 2 between first and second glass substrates and melting the frit in forming an edge seal between first and second glass substrates of the VIG window unit.

5. A method of making a VIG window unit, the method comprising: providing first and second spaced apart glass substrates, with a plurality of spacers between the glass substrates to space the glass substrates apart; forming an edge seal for the VIG window unit between the glass substrates, the edge seal comprising a composition comprising: TABLE-US-00014 Ingredient Wt. % vanadium oxide ~50-60%, barium oxide ~27-33%, zinc oxide  ~9-12%;  and at least one additive Nb.sub.2O.sub.5 constituting between about 2-8 wt. %.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) These and other features and advantages may be better and more completely understood by reference to the following detailed description of exemplary illustrative embodiments in conjunction with the drawings, of which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional vacuum IG unit;

(3) FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the bottom substrate, edge seal, and spacers of the FIG. 1 vacuum IG unit taken along the section line illustrated in FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a graph correlating time (hours) versus percent tempering strength remaining, illustrating the loss of original temper strength for a thermally tempered sheet of glass after exposure to different temperatures for different periods of time;

(5) FIG. 4 is a graph correlating time versus percent tempering strength remaining similar to that of FIG. 3, except that a smaller time period is provided on the x-axis;

(6) FIG. 5 is cross-sectional view of a vacuum insulated glass unit according to certain example embodiments;

(7) FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process for making a vacuum insulated glass unit with a frit material according to certain example embodiments;

(8) FIGS. 7A-7D are graphs summarizing properties of compositions according to certain example embodiments;

(9) FIGS. 8A-8C are graphs summarizing the quality of compositions according to certain exemplary embodiments;

(10) FIG. 9 is a graph showing results when additional elements are added to compositions according to certain example embodiments;

(11) FIGS. 10A-10C show graphs summarizing impacts of additives being added to vanadium based frits according to certain example embodiments; and

(12) FIGS. 11A-11C show graphs summarizing absorption in the visible and infrared wavelengths for vanadium based frits according to certain example embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(13) The following description is provided in relation to several example embodiments which may share common characteristics, features, etc. It is to be understood that one or more features of any one embodiment may be combinable with one or more features of other embodiments. In addition, single features or a combination of features may constitute an additional embodiment(s).

(14) Certain example embodiments may relate to glass units (e.g., VIG units) that include two glass substrates sealed with an improved seal, e.g., of or including a vanadium-based frit material. In certain example embodiments an improved seal may include the following materials: vanadium oxide, barium oxide, and zinc oxide. In addition, certain example embodiments may include one or more of the following compounds: Ta.sub.2O.sub.5, Ti.sub.2O.sub.3, SrCl.sub.2, GeO.sub.2, CuO, AgO, Nb.sub.2O.sub.5, B.sub.2O.sub.3, MgO, SiO.sub.2, TeO.sub.2, Tl.sub.2O.sub.3, Y.sub.2O.sub.3, SnF.sub.2, SnO.sub.2, CuCl, SnCl.sub.2, CeO.sub.2, AgCl, In.sub.2O.sub.3, SnO, SrO, MgO, and Al.sub.2O.sub.3.

(15) FIG. 5 is cross-sectional view of a vacuum insulated glass unit according to certain example embodiments. VIG unit 500 may include first and second glass substrates 502a and 502b that are spaced apart and define a space therebetween. The glass substrates 502a and 502b may be connected via an improved seal 504, of or including a vanadium-based frit. Support pillars 506 may help maintain the first and second substrates 502a and 502b in substantially parallel spaced apart relation to one another. It will be appreciated that the CTE of the improved seal 504 and the glass substrates 502a and 502b may substantially match one another. This may be advantageous in terms of reducing the likelihood of the glass cracking, etc. Although FIG. 5 is described in relation to a VIG unit, it will be appreciated that the improved seal 504, of or including a vanadium-based frit may be used in connection with other articles and/or arrangements including, for example, insulating glass (IG) units and/or other articles.

(16) FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process for preparing a frit material to be used in making a vacuum insulated glass unit according to certain example embodiments. In step 600, base compounds are combined and disposed into an appropriate container (e.g., a heat resistant container such as, for example, a ceramic container). In step 602, the combined compound is melted. Preferably, the temperature to melt the combined material may be at least 1000° C. In certain exemplary embodiments, the combined compound is melted at 1000° C. for between 30 to 60 minutes. In certain exemplary embodiments, the combined compound is melted at 1100° C. for 60 minutes. In certain exemplary embodiments, the combined compound is melted at 1200° C. for 60 minutes. In certain exemplary embodiments, the melting temperature is a cycle that includes 500° C. for 15 minutes. 550° C. for 15minutes, 600° C. for 15 minutes, and a ramp up to 1000° C. for 60 minutes.

(17) After the combined compounds are melted, the material may be cooled in step 604, e.g., to form a glass sheet. After cooling, the glass may be crushed or ground into fine particulates in step 606. In certain example embodiments, the size of the particulates may be no larger than about 100 mesh. Once the glass is ground into a powder, it may be disposed between the substrates in step 608. In certain example embodiments, the powder may be dispensed as a paste with a binder. Heat may then be applied in step 610 to the glass substrate and the powder. In certain example embodiments, the heat may be between 300° C. and 400° C., or more preferably between 325° C. and 375° C. It will be appreciated that when heat of the above temperatures is applied to tempered glass that the tempered glass may lose a reduced amount of strength versus when heat of in excess of 350° C. is applied to the tempered glass. Thus, certain example embodiments preferably involve a frit melting temperature of less than 500° C., more preferably less than 425° C., and sometimes less than 350° C.

(18) In certain example embodiments, the combined compounds include the following materials: vanadium oxide, barium oxide, and zinc oxide.

(19) FIGS. 7A-7D show graphs summarizing properties of compositions according to certain example embodiments.

(20) The table below corresponds to the data shown in FIG. 7A with those compositions with a melt quality of less than 4 (on a scale of 0 to 5) omitted from the table.

(21) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Normalized Moles of Batch Composition V.sub.2O.sub.5 BaO ZnO BaO/ZnO Bi.sub.2O.sub.3 B.sub.2O.sub.3 Tg(C.) Tx1(C.) Rating 43.66% 9.87% 46.47% 0.21 320 410 4 39.01% 13.25% 37.37% .35 2.18% 8.20% 312 430 4 47.33% 12.96% 24.41% 0.53 9.95% 5.53% 305 380 4 50.24% 23.38% 21.39% 1.33 320 425 4 51.54% 26.26% 16.46% 1.60 5.75% 320 410 4.5

(22) The melts shown in FIG. 7A were applied to a microscope glass slide with a temperature of 375° C. applied for 15 minutes. FIG. 7B shows a graph that includes the crystallization temperature (first crystallization peak—Tx1—of the above table) of the above melts. According to certain exemplary embodiments, a preferred temperature for Tx1 may be between about 375° C. and 425° C., preferably about 400° C.

(23) FIG. 7C shows the transition glass temperatures, Tg, compared the above melts. The graph showing exemplary data shows that Tg values between about 290 C and 335 C may be preferred for the above compositions.

(24) FIG. 7D includes the above melts in a graph showing the melt quality versus the barium/zinc ratio.

(25) FIGS. 8A-8C show graphs that summarize the quality of compositions according to certain exemplary embodiments. FIG. 8A summarizes the V.sub.2O.sub.5 percentage used in certain exemplary compositions. FIG. 8B summarizes the BaO percentage used in certain exemplary compositions. FIG. 8C summarizes the ZnO percentage used in certain exemplary compositions. As shown in the illustrative graphs, a vanadium percentage of between about 51% and 53% may be preferable according to certain example embodiments.

(26) Below, tables 2A-2C show exemplary compositions according to certain example embodiments. Additionally, examples 7-15 in the tables correspond to graphs 8A-8C, For the compositions shown in the below tables, BaCO.sub.3 factor of 1.287027979 was used to convert to a BaO resulting compound.

(27) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2A Weight Weights of Batch Normalized Weight Percentage Weight Composition for 25 grams Percentage Ex. V.sub.2O.sub.5 BaO ZnO Normal V.sub.2O.sub.5 BaO ZnO V.sub.2O.sub.5 BaO ZnO 1 60 30 10 0.23 13.800 8.880 2.300 55.24 35.55 9.21 2 52.5 25 10 0.27 14.175 8.687 2.700 55.45 33.99 10.56 3 45 20 10 0.31 13.950 7.980 3.100 55.73 31.88 12.39 4 45 10 20 0.32 14.400 4.118 6.400 57.79 16.53 25.68 5 52.5 10 25 0.28 14.700 3.604 7.000 58.09 14.24 27.66 6 60 10 30 0.25 15.000 3.218 7.500 58.33 12.51 29.16 7 52.5 25 10 0.24 12.600 7.722 2.400 55.45 33.99 10.56 8 57.5 25 10 0.25 14.375 8.044 2.500 57.69 32.28 10.03 9 47.5 25 10 0.28 13.300 9.009 2.800 52.97 35.88 11.15 10 52.5 27.5 10 0.26 13.650 9.202 2.600 53.63 36.15 10.22 11 57.5 27.5 10 0.25 14.375 8.848 2.500 55.88 34.40 9.72 12 47.5 27.5 10 0.27 12.825 9.556 2.700 51.13 38.10 10.77 13 52.5 22.5 10 0.28 14.700 8.108 2.800 57.40 31.66 10.93 14 57.5 22.5 10 0.26 14.950 7.529 2.600 59.61 30.02 10.37 15 47.5 22.5 10 0.29 13.775 8.398 2.900 54.94 33.49 11.57

(28) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 2B Moles of Batch Normalized Moles Glass Ex. V.sub.2O.sub.5 BaO ZnO V.sub.2O.sub.5 BaO ZnO Type 1 0.3037 0.1801 0.1132 50.87% 30.17% 18.95% amor- phous 2 0.3049 0.1722 0.1298 50.24% 28.38% 21.39% glassy 3 0.3064 0.1616 0.1522 49.41% 26.05% 24.54% amor- phous 4 0.3177 0.0838 0.3156 44.31% 11.68% 44.01% amor- phous 5 0.3194 0.0722 0.3400 43.66% 9.87% 46.47% amor- phous 6 0.3207 0.0634 0.3584 43.19% 8.54% 48.27% amor- phous 7 0.3049 0.1722 0.1298 50.24% 28.38% 21.39% glassy 8 0.3172 0.1636 0.1233 52.51% 27.08% 20.41% glassy 9 0.2912 0.1818 0.1370 47.74% 29.80% 22.46% glassy 10 0.2949 0.1832 0.1255 48.85% 30.35% 20.80% glassy 11 0.3073 0.1743 0.1194 51.12% 29.00% 19.87% glassy 12 0.2811 0.1931 0.1323 46.35% 31.83% 21.81% glassy 13 0.3156 0.1604 0.1344 51.70% 26.28% 22.01% glassy 14 0.3278 0.1521 0.1274 53.97% 25.05% 20.98% glassy 15 0.3021 0.1697 0.1421 49.20% 27.65% 23.15% glassy

(29) The rating shown in Table 2C is based off of deposing the ground composition on a microscope glass slide and heating the composition at about 375° C. for between 10 and 30 minutes.

(30) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 2C Example Tg (C. °) Tx2 (C. °) Tx2 (C. °) Tx1 − Tg Rating 1 280 330 540 50 0.0 2 320 425 525 105 4.0 3 280 430 550 150 0.0 4 280 320 365 40 0.0 5 320 410 560 90 4.0 6 285 425 560 140 0.0 7 315 390 530 75 4.5 8 295, 325 415 535 90 5.0 9 320 420 525 100 4.5 10 325 410 540 85 4.5 11 315 395 530 80 4.5 12 330 415 560 85 4.0 13 315 400 530 85 5.0 14 305 395 530 90 4.0 15 320 395 525 75 4.5

(31) FIG. 9 shows a graph with results of adding additional elements (e.g., Bi.sub.2O.sub.3 and B.sub.2O.sub.3) to a vanadium based fit. Corresponding data shown in FIG. 9 is also displayed below in Table 3.

(32) TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 3 Ex. V.sub.2O.sub.5 BaO ZnO Bi.sub.2O.sub.3 B.sub.2O.sub.3 Tg(C.) Tx1(C.) DSC Responses 1 65.39% 14.87% 12.46% 0.00% 7.28% 320 430 medium weak 2 60.96% 13.86% 11.61% 0.00% 13.57% 240 415 very weak 3 69.71% 15.85% 13.28% 1.16% 0.00% 315 405 strong peaks 4 64.69% 14.71% 12.32% 1.08% 7.20% 325 440 very weak 5 68.91% 15.67% 13.13% 2.29% 0.00% 320 410 medium weak 6 64.00% 14.56% 12.19% 2.13% 7.12% 320 425 very weak 7 59.74% 13.59% 11.38% 1.99% 13.30% 315 410 very weak 8 60.34% 13.72% 11.49% 1.00% 13.43% 315 400 very weak 9 70.53% 16.04% 13.43% 0.00% 0.00% 315 380 strong peaks

(33) In certain example embodiments, a strong DSC response may correspond to a good remelt quality. In certain example embodiments, the addition of bismuth in concentrations of between about 0% and 3% may result in increased remelt flow quality.

(34) In certain example embodiments, a frit that includes V.sub.2O.sub.5, BaO, and ZnO May further include one or more additives. In certain example embodiments, the additives may be between about 0.5% and 15% weight. According to certain example embodiments, the additives may be added to a base composition that includes between about 50% and 60% weight V.sub.2O.sub.5, 27% and 33% weight BaO, and 9% and 12% weight ZnO.

(35) Below, Tables 4A-4D show results of including additives to the base composition of V.sub.2O.sub.5, BaO, and ZnO. Table 4D shows the melt quality on a scale of about 0 to 5 for each of the compositions. FIGS. 10A-10C show graphs corresponding to the data shown in the below tables. A BaCO.sub.3 factor of 1.2870 was used to form the BaO used for the following examples.

(36) TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 4A Weights (gm) Normalized Weights Ex V.sub.2O.sub.5 BaO ZnO Additive Type Amount V.sub.2O.sub.5 BaO ZnO Additive 1 52.5 22.5 10 TeO.sub.2 2 14.175 7.819 2.700 0.540 2 52.5 22.5 10 TeO.sub.2 4 13.650 7.529 2.600 1.040 3 52.5 22.5 10 Ta.sub.2O.sub.5 5 13.650 7.529 2.600 1.300 4 52.5 22.5 10 Ta.sub.2O.sub.5 10 13.125 7.240 2.500 2.500 5 52.5 22.5 10 Ti.sub.2O.sub.3 5 13.650 7.529 2.600 1.300 6 52.5 22.5 10 Ti.sub.2O.sub.3 10 13.125 7.240 2.500 2.500 7 52.5 22.5 10 SrCl.sub.2 2 14.175 7.819 2.700 0.540 8 52.5 22.5 10 SrCl.sub.2 4 13.650 7.529 2.600 1.040 9 52.5 22.5 10 GeO.sub.2 1 14.175 7.819 2.700 0.270 10 52.5 22.5 10 GeO.sub.2 2 14.175 7.819 2.700 0.540 11 52.5 22.5 10 CuO 1 14.175 7.819 2.700 0.270 12 52.5 22.5 10 CuO 2 14.175 7.819 2.700 0.540 13 52.5 22.5 10 AgO 1.5 14.175 7.819 2.700 0.405 14 52.5 22.5 10 AgO 3 14.175 7.819 2.700 0.810 15 52.5 22.5 10 Nb.sub.2O.sub.5 3 14.175 7.819 2.700 0.810 16 52.5 22.5 10 Nb.sub.2O.sub.5 6 13.650 7.529 2.600 1.560 17 52.5 22.5 10 B.sub.2O.sub.3 .8 14.175 7.819 2.700 0.216 18 52.5 22.5 10 B.sub.2O.sub.3 1.6 14.175 7.819 2.700 0.432

(37) TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 4B Normalized Weight Percentage Moles of Batch Composition Addi- Addi- Ex V.sub.2O.sub.5 BaO ZnO tive V.sub.2O.sub.5 BaO ZnO tive 1 56.17 30.99 10.70 2.14 0.309 0.157 0.131 0.013 2 55.00 30.34 10.48 4.19 0.302 0.154 0.129 0.026 3 54.43 30.02 10.37 5.18 0.299 0.152 0.127 0.012 4 51.75 28.54 9.86 9.86 0.285 0.145 0.121 0.022 5 54.43 30.02 10.37 5.18 0.299 0.152 0.127 0.011 6 51.75 28.54 9.86 9.86 0.285 0.145 0.121 0.022 7 56.17 30.99 10.70 2.14 0.309 0.157 0.131 0.013 8 55.00 30.34 10.48 4.19 0.302 0.154 0.129 0.026 9 56.78 31.32 10.82 1.08 0.312 0.159 0.133 0.010 10 56.17 30.99 10.70 2.14 0.309 0.157 0.131 0.020 11 56.78 31.32 10.82 1.08 0.312 0.159 0.133 0.014 12 56.17 30.99 10.70 2.14 0.309 0.157 0.131 0.027 13 56.48 31.15 10.76 1.61 0.311 0.158 0.132 0.013 14 55.58 30.66 10.59 3.18 0.306 0.155 0.130 0.026 15 55.58 30.66 10.59 3.18 0.306 0.155 0.130 0.012 16 53.87 29.71 10.26 6.16 0.296 0.151 0.126 0.023 17 56.91 31.39 10.84 0.87 0.313 0.159 0.133 0.012 18 56.42 31.12 10.75 1.72 0.310 0.158 0.132 0.025

(38) TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 4C Normalized Moles Addi- Tg (Tx1 Tx2 Tx1 − Ex V.sub.2O.sub.5 BaO ZnO tive (C.) (C.) (C.) Tg 1 50.57% 25.71% 21.53% 2.20% 315 400 525 85 2 49.48% 25.16% 21.07% 4.30% 315 420 530 105 3 50.68% 25.76% 21.58% 1.99% 320 450 130 4 49.69% 25.26% 21.16% 3.90% 320 450 530 130 5 50.71% 25.78% 21.59% 1.92% 305 390 495 85 6 49.75% 25.29% 21.18% 3.77% 295 390 470 95 7 50.56% 25.70% 21.53% 2.21% 315 405 530 90 8 49.47% 25.15% 21.06% 4.32% 315 400 530 85 9 50.83% 25.84% 21.64% 1.68% 315 395 530 80 10 49.99% 25.41% 21.28% 3.31% 315 400 530 85 11 50.56% 25.71% 21.53% 2.20% 315 385 525 70 12 49.47% 25.15% 21.06% 4.31% 320 395 545 75 13 50.61% 25.73% 21.55% 2.12% 305 390 525 85 14 49.55% 25.19% 21.10% 4.16% 300 380 80 15 50.68% 25.76% 21.58% 1.98% 315 425 550 110 16 49.69% 25.26% 21.16% 3.89% 325 440 465 115 17 50.66% 25.75% 21.57% 2.02% 315 410 540 95 18 49.66% 25.25% 21.14% 3.95% 320 405 545 85

(39) TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 4D Melt Quality @ Melt Quality at Example 375 C., 15 min 350 C., 15 min 1 5.0 4.0 2 4.5 4.0 3 4.5 2.0 4 5.0 2.0 5 4.5 4.5 6 5.0 5.0 7 5.5+ 5.0 8 5.0 4.5 9 4.5 4.5 10 4.5 4.5 11 4.5 2.0 12 4.0 2.0 13 4.0 5.0 14 3.5 4.0 15 4.5 2.0 16 5.0 2.0 17 4.0 4.5 18 3.5 2.0

(40) In certain example embodiments, the molar composition of an addiviate to a base composition higher than is shown in tables 4A-4D. Table 5A shows additives with an increased additive amount (on a % mole basis). The base composition used with the additive amount may be based on, for example, the base composition shown in Row 1 of Tables 4A-4D. The additives shown in Table 5, in the selected quantities displayed, may improve melt quality when compared to the above base composition. A melt type of Glassy indicates that a “button” of the compound melted onto a glass plate, forming a homogenous glassy structure. Sinter indicates that the compound (in a powder form) fused together, but remained in a powder form.

(41) TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 5 Melt Type Adhesion Additive (350 C. for to glass Example Type Amount 20 minutes) substrate. 1 CuCl 4.00% Glassy No Stick 2 SnCl.sub.2 3.99% Glassy No Stick 3 SnCl.sub.2 5.99% Glassy, Slight Flow Slight stick 4 SiO.sub.2 6.02% More Glassy No Stick 5 Al.sub.2O.sub.3 6.00% Glassy No Stick 6 CeO.sub.2 4.00% Sinter No Stick 7 TeO.sub.2 3.99% Glassy Slight stick 8 TeO.sub.2 6.01% Glassy Slight stick 9 Tl.sub.2O.sub.3 3.99% Glassy, Slight Flow No Stick 10 Tl.sub.2O.sub.3 6.01% Glassy, Slight Flow No Stick

(42) Accordingly, in certain example embodiments, additives of a relatively increased amount (e.g., versus those shown in FIG. 4) may be added to a base composition. In certain example embodiments, the additives may include, for example, CuCl, SnCl.sub.2, SiO.sub.2, Al.sub.2O.sub.3, and TeO.sub.2. It will be appreciated that toxic nature of thallium oxide (Tl.sub.2O.sub.3) may preclude its use in certain instances.

(43) In certain example embodiments, two or more additives may be included in a base compound. Table 6 shows the results of adding two additives to an exemplary base composition. Table 6 includes example melts at 375 and 350. Additionally, 13 mm buttons of the exemplary compounds were tested on a glass plate. The structural strength of the resulting exemplary compound are also shown in the far right column.

(44) TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 6 Melt Melt 13 mm Quality Quality Button Amount 1 Amount 2 (375 C. (350 C. 350 C. Ex Add 1 Add 2 (Mole %) (Mole %) 15-20 Min) 15-20 Min) 20 Min Strength 1 TeO2 Al2O3 3.01 3.01 4.5 5.5 glassy Fractures 2 TeO2 Al2O3 2.99 5.01 5 4 glassy Fractures 3 TeO2 Al2O3 4.02 3.01 6 5.5 glassy Fractures 4 TeO2 Al2O3 3.99 5.00 5 4.5 glassy Fractures 5 TeO2 Al2O3 5.01 2.99 4.5 4.5 glassy Fractures 6 TeO2 Al2O3 5.00 5.00 5 4.5 glassy Fractures 7 TeO2 SiO.sub.2 3.01 3.00 5 5.5 glassy Fractures 8 TeO2 SiO.sub.2 2.99 5.02 5 4.5 glassy Fractures 9 TeO2 SiO.sub.2 4.00 2.99 5 4 glassy Fractures 10 TeO2 SiO.sub.2 3.99 4.99 5 4.5 Less Fractures glassy 11 TeO2 SiO.sub.2 5.00 2.99 4.5 4.5 Less Hard glassy 12 TeO2 SiO.sub.2 5.00 4.99 4.5 4.5 Less Hard glassy 13 SnCl2 Al2O3 3.01 3.01 5 6 more Hard glassy 14 SnCl2 Al2O3 3.00 5.01 5 5.5 glassy Hard 15 SnCl2 Al2O3 4.01 3.01 4.5 6 glassy Hard 16 SnCl2 Al2O3 4.00 4.99 5.5 6 glassy Hard 17 SnCl2 Al2O3 5.00 2.99 5.5 5.5 glassy Fractures 18 SnCl2 Al2O3 5.00 5.00 5.5 5.5 more Hard glassy 19 SnCl2 SiO2 3.00 3.00 4.5 4.5 glassy Hard 20 SnCl2 SiO2 3.00 4.99 5 6 glassy Hard 21 SnCl2 SiO2 4.00 2.99 6 6 glassy Fractures 22 SnCl2 SiO2 4.01 4.99 5.5 5.5 glassy Fractures 23 SnCl2 SiO2 5.00 2.99 5 5.5 glassy Hard 24 SnCl2 SiO2 5.00 4.99 5.5 5.5 glassy Fractures 25 Al2O3 SiO2 3.01 3.00 4.5 4 less Hard glassy 26 Al2O3 SiO2 2.99 4.99 5 5.5 less Hard glassy 27 Al2O3 SiO2 4.00 2.99 4.5 4.5 less Hard glassy 28 Al2O3 SiO2 4.00 4.99 5 4.5 less Hard glassy 29 Al2O3 SiO2 5.01 2.99 5 4.5 less Hard glassy 30 Al2O3 SiO2 5.01 4.99 4 2 less Hard glassy

(45) Accordingly, certain example may include two additives similar to those found in examples 3, 16, and 21 as shown in Table 6 (e.g., TeO.sub.2 with SiO.sub.2, SnCl.sub.2 with Al.sub.2O.sub.3, and SnCl.sub.2 with SiO.sub.2). In certain example embodiments, the addition of two or more additives may have beneficial results on an exemplary base composition. For example the addition of SiO.sub.2 to another additive may increase the strength of the overall frit. Alternatively, or in addition, TeO.sub.2 combined with other additives may increase the melt flow and glass wetting qualities of the frit when compared to a base frit.

(46) In certain example embodiments, the combination of SnCl.sub.2 with SiO.sub.2 and/or Al.sub.2O.sub.3 may result in an increase in structural strength for the resulting frit material.

(47) In certain example embodiments, one or more additives may be added to a base composition where the amount is between 1% and 10% by weight or between about 1% and 6% normalized moles for a hatch. In certain example embodiments, additives may be added in a smaller amount, for example between about 0.1% and 1% by weight. In certain example embodiments a batch for a base composition (in grams) may include V.sub.2O.sub.5 at 52.5, BaO at 22.5, ZnO at 10. In certain example embodiments, additives added to the above base composition may include: 1) TeO2 at 3.85 gm and Al203 at 1.84 gm; 2) SnCl2 at 4.65 gm and Al2O3 at 3.12 gm; 3) SnCl2 at 4.55 gm and SiO2 at 1.08 gm. Correspondingly, the additives may then have a normalize weight percentage of: 1) TeO2 at 1.00 and Al2O3 at 0.48; 2) SnCl2 at 1.21 and Al2O3 at 0.81; 3) SnCl2 at 1.18 and SiO2 at 0.28. These examples may correspond to examples 3, 16, and 21 in the above table 6.

(48) FIGS. 11A-11C show graphs illustrating absorption in the visible and infrared wavelengths for vanadium based frits according to certain example embodiments. As shown in the graphs, example vanadium based frits may have absorption of at least 90% across a substantial breath of the visible and IR spectrum. In certain example embodiments the absorption may be about 95%. As discussed in application Ser. No. 12/929,874 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,733,128) entitled “IMPROVED FRIT MATERIALS AND/OR METHOD OF MAKING VACUUM INSULATING GLASS UNITS INCLUDING THE SAME”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, frit materials with high visible/IR absorption may be advantageous.

(49) FIG. 11A shows the absorption properties of a vanadium based frit with TeO.sub.2 and Al.sub.2O.sub.3 used as additives (e.g., Ex. 3 of Table 6). FIG. 11B shows the absorption properties of a vanadium based frit with SnCl.sub.2 and Al.sub.2O.sub.3 used as additives (e.g., Ex. 16 of Table 6). FIG. 11C shows the absorption properties of a vanadium based frit with SnCl.sub.2 and SiO.sub.2 used as additives (e.g., Ex. 21 of Table 6).

(50) In certain example embodiments, the application of IR energy to a frit material may be based on a heating profile where the IR energy applied to the frit varies over time. Exemplary heating profiles may be found in application Ser. No. 12/929,874 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,733,128) the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

(51) In certain example embodiments, a base composition may be augmented by 3 or 4 additives. For example, a batch for a base composition (in grams) may include V2O.sub.5 at 52.5, BaO at 22.5, ZnO at 10. Accordingly, three and/or more additives from among TeO2, SnCl2, Al2O3, and SiO2 may be selected to augment the base composition. The ranges (in grams) for the additives may vary between 0 to 7.5 grams per additive. Thus, on a normalized molar percentage the above additives may be included at between 0% and 6%. Thus, the normalized molar percentage of a base composition may be V2O.sub.5 at between about 43% and 50%, BaO between about 22% and 26%, ZnO between about 18% and 22%. In certain example embodiments, additives (on a normalized molar basis) of TeO2 at around 2%, SnCl2 around 2%, Al2O3 around 2%, and SiO2 around 4% may be added to the base composition.

(52) The techniques, compositions, etc disclosed herein may be used other methods and/or systems for forming a VIG unit. For example, a vanadium based frit may be used to form an edge seal of a VIG unit. Systems, apparatuses, and/or methods used for creating a VIG unit may be described in co-pending application Ser. No. 12/929,876 entitled “LOCALIZED HEATING TECHNIQUES INCORPORATING TUNABLE INFRARED ELEMENT(S) FOR VACUUM INSULATING GLASS UNITS, AND/OR APPARATUSES FOR THE SAME”, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

(53) It will he appreciated by those skilled in the art that CTE adjustments may be carried out on the overall frit material (e.g., the compound) for the wetting and bonding properties of the frit to cooperate with an underlying substrate (e.g., a glass substrate).

(54) It will be appreciated that one or more metal oxide, chloride, and/or fluoride additives may be used as additives in different embodiments of this invention. Furthermore, in certain example implementations, the metal oxide, chloride, and/or fluoride additives may be stoichiometric or sub-stoichiometric.

(55) As used herein, the terms “on,” “supported by,” and the like should not be interpreted to mean that two elements are directly adjacent to one another unless explicitly stated. In other words, a first layer may be said to be “on” or “supported by” a second layer, even if there are one or more layers there between.

(56) While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.