Sol-Gel Processing Science Using a Sol-Gel Optics Research Facility (SGORF)
Abstract
The major challenge facing sol-gel processing of advanced materials, and in fact the entire field of chemically derived ceramics, is to relate processing variables to final properties. In order to develop fundamental processing-properties relationships it is essential to characterize the material after each step of the process: mixing, aging, drying, stabilization and densification. Fundamental studies of sol-gel processing science have led to two major accomplishments: 1) Development of a generic sol-gel process for producing fully dense silica monoliths (termed GELSIL), and 2) Identification of the need for a broad range of characterization methods to apply to processing steps. In order to achieve the production of reliable and reproducible sol-gel monoliths, a series of seven tasks have been identified. These tasks and a summary of results to date are given below: Sol-Gel Processing Science for Continuous Optics; Processing; Fabrication Science for Net Shape Precision Optics; Effects of Ultrastructure on Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Sol-Gel Optics; Effects of Ultrastructure on the Optical Properties and Optical Homogeneity of Gelsil; Radiation and Severe Environment Sensitivity of Gelsil Multicomponent and Gel-Derived composites; Effects of Multicomponent Species and Multiphase on Processing-Properties Relationships; and Effect of Sample dimensions on Reliability. (AW)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 10, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA213056
Entities
People
- Jean-luc R. Nogues