Single-Step Manufacture of Vacuum Glazing

N.Ng and R.E. Collins

The manufacture of vacuum glazing involves two high temperature processes – formation of the hermetic edge seal, and outgassing of the internal surfaces. These processes have conventionally been performed sequentially in two separate heating steps. Recently, a method has been developed for making a vacuum seal to a flat glass sheet that will withstand temperatures close to the softening point of the glass. This method enables vacuum glazing to be manufactured in a process involving a single heating step. Such a process has significant advantages compared with the conventional two-step process.

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