ENAMEL FOR USE ON GLASS AND A METHOD OF USING THE SAME

摘要

The present invention provides a new and useful enamel composition and method of using the same for producing an enamel finish on a formed section of glass. The enamel composition partially crystallizes upon heating, thereby helping to prevent the forming and handling equipment from sticking and/or adhering to the composition during the forming operation. The enamel composition includes a crystallizable glass frit portion and a seed powder. The crystallized glass frit portion includes precursors from which Zn2SiO4 can be crystallized upon firing of the enamel composition. The seed powder causes at least a portion of the precursors to crystallize upon firing such that during firing at least a part of the crystallizable glass frit yields crystallized Zn2SiO4 formed by the precursors. Preferably, the precursors comprise ZnO and SiO2, and the seed powder comprises crystalline Zn2SiO4. The enamel composition also preferably includes bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) in order to help further ensure that no sticking and/or adhering problems develop during the forming operation.