SPI Supplies® Brand Glassy (Vitreous) Carbon Products
SPI Glas™ glassy carbon material is produced
It is not unusual for us to be asked questions about the manufacturing
methods of the SPI Glas™ glassy carbon products. And it should be no
surprise that this information and the details are kept confidential.
However we can release the following information:
The process of production of the SPI Glas™ glassy carbon products consists
of two separate and distinct steps:
- Formation of the bulk material (out of dry or liquid phenol formaldehyde
resin [rosin or tar]) followed by
- Thermal treatment over a time period that could be as long as 3-4 months.
In some of the glassy carbon products, one might see what appear to be holes
that are on the order of 5 µm or less. This is "normal" while we try hard
to keep their presence to a minimum, they are at times something that can
not be eliminated completely. For example, in the case of the glassy
carbon rods, when they are made, they are formed in a tube at high
temperature and the liquid tar is being pulled into the tube. Bi-products
are being continuously produced but there is not always a clear path for
them to escape. But these do lead to the small hole defects that are at
times observed. We are confident that these are the manifestations of some
form of ash.
Should these small pore defects be a problem for you, on special request, we
might be able to do better, however there would be associated with such a
request a substantial increase in our own production cost which of course
would have to be passed through to the customer.
The point of this page is to inform, not to be a cause for concern. We are
unaware of anyone who ever expressed any displeasure or unhappiness with the
SPI Glas™ glassy carbon even though we know our customers routinely examine
the glassy carbon surfaces by SEM.
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Saturday March 20, 2010
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