Sol-gel process for producing synthetic silica glass

摘要

An improved sol-gel process is disclosed for producing a synthetic silica glass article, in which a sol is formed having a silica loading as high as 34 to 40%. This high loading is achieved by introducing an aqueous colloidal silica suspension into a silicon alkoxide solution and slowly stirring the mixture together, during which time the mixture hydrolyzes and the colloidal suspension is broken down by chemical reaction. This produces a hydrolyzed sol incorporating a suspension of very fine aggregates of colloidal particles, having particle sizes less than about 10 microns. The need for a stabilizing agent and/or continuous ultra-sonicating or violently stirring the sol is eliminated.