Abstract
Novara Technology (NTECH) has developed its own process for bulk silica glass based on Sol-Gel chemistry. The process is characterized by its thermomechanical ideal isotropy of the aerogel and the glass it forms. Remarkable glass properties are: ultrapurity up to 1 ppb or better for single metal contaminant, optical compatibility with high-temperature treatments up to 2000°C, precision mouldability without intrinsic dimensional limitations. The process, that makes large use of the fumed silica Aerosil® in combination with TEOS, is characterized by the synthesis of monolithic material, i.e. a chemically manufactured body with shape and dimensions defined at reaction time, when the whole material is generated as a unit. Process implementation was achieved with the operation of a pilot plant. The road to industrialization besides volume scale-up, readily achieved for the chemical and hypercritical drying sector of the plant, was focused on getting a cost effective procedure.
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