Molding method for producing optical glass element

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a molding method for producing an optical glass element such as a lens and a prism. That is, the present invention particularly relates to a molding method in which thermally softened optical glass is hot-pressed by a mold coated with a thin film of a noble metal alloy and molded into the form of an optical glass element having high surface quality and high surface accuracy. Further, the present invention particularly relates to a mold used in such a molding method.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Recently, an optical glass element, particularly, an optical glass lens tends to be made to have an aspherical shape so as to accomplish both the simplification of the lens construction and the minimization in weight of the lens portion in optical devices at the same time. In producing such an aspherical lens, there are some problems as to a working method and mass producibility in the conventional optical polishing method, and wherein a method that optical glass is thermally pressed and ultraprecisely molded (a direct press-molding method) is expected to be full of promise.
This direct press-molding method is such that a block of optical glass is thermally pressed on an aspherical-shaped mold which has been finished to have a desired surface quality and desired surface accuracy as shown in FIG. 1, or a block of optical glass which has been heated is hotpressed, thereby obtaining an optical glass element.
The optical glass element produced by such a direct press-molding method as described above must be superior in optical properties to an optical glass element produced by the conventional optical polishing method. Particularly, in the case of the aspherical lens, extremely high surface accuracy after molding is required. Therefore, the mold used in the direct press-molding method must have such characteristics that the chemical reaction against the optical glass is minimum under the condition of high temperature that the press-molding surface thereof hardly suffers damage such as a scar or the like and that the mold is improved in heat shock resistance against rapid heating and cooling.
As the mold used in the direct press-molding method, a mold using non-oxides such as silicon carbide (SiC), silicon nitride (Si.sub.3 N.sub.4) or the like, and a mold in which carbon having high density is coated with silicon carbide (SiC) or the like, have been examined.
The non-oxides such as SiC, Si.sub.3 N.sub.4, or the like, however, have extremely high hardness and therefore it is very difficult to highly accurately work such a material into a spherical or aspherical shape. Further, since such a material is produced by sintering, a material added as a sintering accellator thereof may easily react with the optical glass, so that a molding operation for producing a highly accurate optical glass element can not be performed. Also, the mold in which carbon having high density is coated with an SiC firm may easily react with the optical glass containing lead oxide and alkali elements in large quantities because the coating film is made of beta silicon carbide (.beta.-SiC) and therefore the mold is not suitable for producing such a highly accurate optical glass element.
Now, it is known that the noble metal alloy made for the bulk of platinum or the like is used as a material of an optical glass melting crucible. A mechanical property of the bulk of noble metal alloy, for example, strength or hardness, is inferior to that of other materials. Therefore, it is difficult to say that the properties of the noble metal alloy such as being reaction proof against the optical glass and aving oxidation resistance are sufficiently practically used in producing optical glass elements.
Generally, it is known that various physical properties of a thin film act differently from that of the bulk material and therefore also a mechanical property of the thin film is different from that of the bulk material. Specifically, the mechanical property of the thin film is superior to that of the bulk material, that is, the mechanical property of a thin film of the noble metal alloy is superior to that of the bulk of noble metal alloy.
Thus, a noble metal alloy having superior reaction proof against an optical glass and superior oxidation resistance, is formed into a thin film and a mold for producing an optical glass element is coated with such a thin film to thereby improve the mold in its mechanical property.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to produce an optical glass element at a low cost.
Another object of the present invention is to produce an optical glass element having high surface quality and high surface accuracy. That is, the object of the present invention is to produce an optical glass element having high surface quality and high surface accuracy at a low cost.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a mold by which optical glass can be molded into the form of an optical glass element having high surface quality and high surface accuracy.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an optical glass element which is molded into a desired shape, which has high surface quality and high surface accuracy, and which is produced at a low cost.
Such objects as described above can be attained by the molding method according to the present invention, in which optical glass is heated and pressed by using a mold coated with a thin film of a noble metal alloy and molded into an optical glass element having a desired shape.
The molding method for producing an optical glass element comprises the steps of (1) preparing a block of optical glass softened by preheating, (2) hot-pressing the softened optical glass block by using a mold coated with a thin film of noble metal alloy to thereby mold the optical glass block in the form of an optical glass element having a desired shape, (3) cooling the optical glass element at a temperature not higher than an annealing temperature of the optical glass under the condition that the optical glass element is held in the mold, and (4) taking out the optical glass element from the mold.
The use of a mold for producing the optical glass element having a high surface quality and high surface accuracy is especially important in molding the optical glass. It is known that if melted and softened optical glass is molded by a mold, the surface texture of the mold is accurately copied on the surface of the resultant optical glass element. Therefore, in order to produce an optical glass element having high surface quality and high surface accuracy, it is necessary to use a mold having a press-molding surface of high surface quality and high surface accuracy. Moreover, it is required that the high surface quality and the high surface accuracy of the press-molding surface of the mold do not vary even after optical glass elements have been molded many times. It is required also that the press-molding surface of the mold must not be adhered to and reacted with the optical glass. Such problems as described above can be solved by using a mold coated with a thin film of a noble metal alloy according to the present invention as a mold for producing an optical glass element.
Noble metal has a minimum chemical reaction against optical glass, however, a mechanical property thereof, such as hardness or strength, is inferior to that of other materials. The mechanical property can be improved by alloying the noble metal. Preferably, the noble metal alloy used for a mold for producing an optical glass element contains 99-30 weight % of platinum and a remainder containing at least one element selected from the group of iridium, osmium, palladium, rhodium, and ruthenium. The mechanical property of the noble metal alloy having such a composition as described above is superior to that of only the platinum and the noble metal alloy does not react with optical glass. Further, if the noble metal alloy is shaped in the form of a thin film, the mechanical property thereof becomes superior to that of the bulk material. A compound material of metal and ceramics, having a superior mechanical property, is coated with the noble metal alloy thin film so that the mechanical property is considerably improved due to the synergistic effect. Preferably, the compound material of metal and ceramics is hard metal containing wolfram carbide as its principal component, cermet containing titanium carbide as its principal component, cermet containing alumina as its principal component, cermet containing titanium nitride as its principal component, cermet containing chromium carbide as its principal component. These compound materials agree with the noble metal alloy in coefficient of thermal expansion and there is a small inner strain in the noble metal alloy thin film, so that the adhesive force between the noble metal alloy and the compound material is superior. Each of these compound materials can be worked into an element having high surface quality and high surface accuracy and having a desired shape by using a diamond cutting-tool and ultra-fine grains of diamond in a relatively short time. It is possible to produce a mold having high surface quality and high surface accuracy by coating the thus processed compound material with the noble metal alloy thin film. Alternatively, a mold may be formed in such a manner that the compound material of metal and ceramics is coated with the noble metal alloy thin film and then the noble metal alloy thin film is processed to have high surface quality and high surface accuracy by using a cutting-tool and ultra-fine grains of diamond.
Thus, it is possible to produce many optical glass elements having high surface quality and high surface accuracy, inexpensively, by using a mold coated with a noble metal alloy thin film which is improved in reaction proof property against optical glass, oxidation resistance, and mechanical property and which has high surface quality and high surface accuracy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the mold used for molding an optical glass element according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view partly in section showing the molding device used for molding an optical glass element according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described, hereunder.
EMBODIMENT 1
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, and Table 1, an embodiment according to the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an upper and a lower mold 1 and 2 constituting a mold assembly used in molding for producing optical glass elements according to the present invention. As the material for both the upper and lower molds 1 and 2, a cylindrical blank made of hard metal having a diameter of 30 mm and a length of 50 mm was used, the hard metal containing wolfram carbide (WC) as a principal component, 10 weight % of titanium carbide (TiC), 10 weight % of tantalum carbide (TaC) and 8 weight % of cobalt (Co) (hereinafter referred to as (WC-10TiC-10TaC-8Co)). A concave molding surface 4 having a curvature radius of 46 mm and angle notches 3 at four portions at the periphery of the concave molding surfaces were formed in the upper mold 1 and a concave molding surface 5 having a curvature radius of 200 mm were formed in the lower mold 2 by discharge work. Further, these molding surfaces 4 and 5 were lapped by using urtra-fine diamond powder and worked to provide optical mirror surfaces respectively.
Next, a noble metal alloy thin film having a thickness of 2 .mu.m was formed by a spattering method on each of the molding surfaces 4 and 5 which were finished to be mirror surfaces. The noble metal alloy is a platinum-irridium alloy having an irridium by content of 40 weight % (Pt-40Ir).
FIG. 2 is a perspective view partly in section showing the mold in which heaters 6 and 7 are wound around the outer surfaces of the foregoing upper and lower molds 1 and 2, which are attached onto an upper and a lower plunger 8 and 9 of a press respectively. The working portion is enclosed with a cover 10 because the molding operation is performed in a atomosphere of nitrogen gas. In FIG. 2, a spherical block 11 of lead oxide group optical glass having a radius of 20 mm was grasped by a raw-material supply jig 12, the lead oxide group optical glass containing 70 weight % of lead oxide (PbO), 27 weight % of silicon oxide (SiO.sub.2), and a few rate of remainder. After heated in a tunnel-shaped preheating furnace 13, the spherical block 11 was held between the upper and lower molds 1 and 2, which were preheated to 500.degree. C., at a pressure of 40 kg/cm.sup.2 for 2 minutes, and then cooled to 300.degree. C. together with the upper and lower molds 1 and 2 in the state as they were. Then the upper plunger 8 was returned and the molded optical glass element was taken out through a removal opening 14. Such a press-molding operation was repeated 300 times and thereafter the upper and lower molds 1 and 2 were detached from the plungers 8 and 9 respectively. The shape accuracy and the surface roughness of the molding surfaces 4 and 5 of the upper and lower molds as well as the optical characteristic of the molded optical glass elements were examined.
These examinations were repeated with respect to various pairs of molds respectively having noble metal alloy thin films which were different in thickness. The results of examinations are shown in Table 1.
For the sake of comparison, other molds were prepared by forming thin film nobel metal alloys which were outside the scope of those alloys of this application on a material of hard metal, and examined under the same molding conditions. The results of the examinations are also shown in Table 1.
TABLE 1__________________________________________________________________________Result of Molding of Optical Glass of Lead Oxide Group Surface Shape Optical Composition of Roughness Accuracy PropertySam- Noble Metal of Mold After After 300 of Moldedple Alloy (weight %) 300 Times Times OpticalNo. Pt Ir Rh Pd Ru Os Molding (.mu.m) Molding Glass__________________________________________________________________________1 99 1 -- -- -- -- 0.02 O O2 60 40 -- -- -- -- 0.02 O O3 30 70 -- -- -- -- 0.02 O O4* 99.5 0.5 -- -- -- -- 0.09 Slight X Deform5* 25 75 -- -- -- -- 0.07 Whitely X Turbid6 99 -- 1 -- -- -- 0.02 O O7 60 -- 40 -- -- -- 0.01 O O8 30 -- 70 -- -- -- 0.02 O O9* 99.5 -- 0.5 -- -- -- 0.08 Slight X Deform10* 25 -- 75 -- -- -- 0.09 Whitely X Turbid11 99 -- -- 1 -- -- 0.02 O O12 60 -- -- 40 -- -- 0.02 O O13 30 -- -- 70 -- -- 0.01 O O14* 99.5 -- -- 0.5 -- -- 0.08 Slight X Deform15* 25 -- -- 75 -- -- 0.08 Whitely X Turbid16 99 -- -- -- 1 -- 0.02 O O17 60 -- -- -- 40 -- 0.02 O O18 30 -- -- -- 70 -- 0.01 O O19* 99.5 -- -- -- 0.5 -- 0.10 Slight X Deform20* 25 -- -- -- 75 -- 0.09 Whitely X Turbid21 99 -- -- -- -- 1 0.02 O O22 60 -- -- -- -- 40 0.02 O O23 30 -- -- -- -- 70 0.02 O O24* 99.5 -- -- -- -- 0.5 0.08 Slight X Deform25* 25 -- -- -- -- 75 0.09 Whitely X Turbid26 99 0.5 0.5 -- -- -- 0.02 O O27 60 20 20 -- -- -- 0.02 O O28 30 35 35 -- -- -- 0.02 O O29* 99.5 0.2 0.3 -- -- -- 0.11 Slight X Deform30* 25 40 35 -- -- -- 0.10 Whitely X Turbid31 99 0.5 -- 0.5 -- -- 0.02 O O32 60 20 -- 20 -- -- 0.01 O O33 30 35 -- 35 -- -- 0.01 O O34* 99.5 0.2 -- 0.3 -- -- 0.12 Slight X Deform35* 25 40 -- 35 -- -- 0.09 Whitely X Turbid36 99 0.5 -- -- 0.5 -- 0.02 O O37 60 20 -- -- 20 -- 0.02 O O38 30 35 -- -- 35 -- 0.01 O O39* 99.5 0.2 -- -- 0.3 -- 0.08 Slight X Deform40* 25 40 -- -- 35 -- 0.11 Whitely X Turbid41 99 0.5 -- -- -- 0.5 0.02 O O42 60 20 -- -- -- 20 0.02 O O43 30 35 -- -- -- 35 0.02 O O44* 99.5 0.2 -- -- -- 0.3 0.09 Slight X Deform45* 25 40 -- -- -- 35 0.08 Whitely X Turbid46 99 -- 0.5 0.5 -- -- 0.02 O O47 60 -- 20 20 -- -- 0.01 O O48 30 -- 35 35 -- -- 0.02 O O49* 99.5 -- 0.2 0.3 -- -- 0.08 Slight X Deform50* 25 -- 40 35 -- -- 0.07 Whitely X Turbid51 99 -- 0.5 -- 0.5 -- 0.02 O O52 60 -- 20 -- 20 -- 0.02 O O53 30 -- 35 -- 35 -- 0.02 O O54* 99.5 -- 0.2 -- 0.3 -- 0.08 Slight X Deform55* 25 -- 40 -- 35 -- 0.08 Whitely X Turbid56 99 -- 0.5 -- -- 0.5 0.02 O O57 60 -- 20 -- -- 20 0.02 O O58 30 -- 35 -- -- 35 0.01 O O59* 99.5 -- 0.2 -- -- 0.3 0.07 Slight X Deform60* 25 -- 40 -- -- 35 0.08 Whitely X Turbid61 99 -- -- 0.5 0.5 -- 0.02 O O62 60 -- -- 20 20 -- 0.01 O O63 30 -- -- 35 35 -- 0.02 O O64* 99.5 -- -- 0.2 0.3 -- 0.09 Slight X Deform65* 25 -- -- 40 35 -- 0.08 Whitely X Turbid66 99 -- -- 0.5 -- 0.5 0.02 O O67 60 -- -- 20 -- 20 0.02 O O68 30 -- -- 35 -- 35 0.02 O O69* 99.5 -- -- 0.2 -- 0.3 0.08 Slight X Deform70* 25 -- -- 40 -- 35 0.07 Whitely X Turbid71 99 -- -- -- 0.5 0.5 0.01 O O72 60 -- -- -- 20 20 0.01 O O73 30 -- -- -- 35 35 0.02 O O74* 99.5 -- -- -- 0.2 0.3 0.09 Slight X Deform75* 25 -- -- -- 40 35 0.09 Whitely X Turbid76 99 0.3 0.3 0.4 -- -- 0.02 O O77 60 15 15 10 -- -- 0.01 O O78 30 30 20 20 -- -- 0.02 O O79* 99.5 0.2 0.2 0.1 -- -- 0.07 Slight X Deform80* 25 25 25 25 -- -- 0.08 Whitely X Turbid81 99 0.3 0.3 -- 0.4 -- 0.02 O O82 60 15 15 -- 10 -- 0.02 O O83 30 30 20 -- 20 -- 0.01 O O84* 99.5 0.2 0.2 -- 0.1 -- 0.08 Slight X Deform85* 25 25 25 -- 25 -- 0.07 Whitely X Turbid86 99 0.3 -- 0.3 0.4 -- 0.02 O O87 60 15 -- 15 10 -- 0.02 O O88 30 30 -- 20 20 -- 0.02 O O89* 99.5 0.2 -- 0.2 0.1 -- 0.09 Slight X Deform90* 25 25 -- 25 25 -- 0.07 Whitely X Turbid91 99 -- 0.3 0.3 0.4 -- 0.02 O O92 60 -- 15 15 10 -- 0.02 O O93 30 -- 30 20 20 -- 0.02 O O94* 99.5 -- 0.2 0.2 0.1 -- 0.09 Slight X Deform95* 25 -- 25 25 25 -- 0.08 Whitely X Turbid96 99 0.3 0.3 -- -- 0.4 0.02 O O97 60 15 15 -- -- 10 0.02 O O98 30 30 20 -- -- 20 0.02 O O99* 99.5 0.2 0.2 -- -- 0.1 0.08 Slight X Deform100* 25 25 25 -- 25 0.08 Whitely X Turbid101 99 0.3 -- 0.3 -- 0.4 0.02 O O102 60 15 -- 15 -- 10 0.02 O O103 30 30 -- 20 -- 20 0.01 O O104* 99.5 0.2 -- 0.2 -- 0.1 0.08 Slight X Deform105* 25 25 -- 25 -- 25 0.07 Whitely X Turbid106 99 -- 0.3 0.3 -- 0.4 0.02 O O107 60 -- 15 15 -- 10 0.01 O O108 30 -- 30 20 -- 20 0.01 O O109* 99.5 -- 0.2 0.2 -- 0.1 0.07 Slight X Deform110* 25 -- 25 25 -- 25 0.07 Whitely X Turbid111 99 0.3 -- -- 0.3 0.4 0.02 O O112 60 15 -- -- 15 10 0.01 O O113 30 30 -- -- 20 20 0.01 O O114* 99.5 0.2 -- -- 0.2 0.1 0.07 Slight X Deform115* 25 25 -- -- 25 25 0.08 Whitely X Turbid116 99 -- 0.3 -- 0.3 0.4 0.02 O O117 60 -- 15 -- 15 10 0.02 O O118 30 -- 30 -- 20 20 0.02 O O119* 99.5 -- 0.2 -- 0.2 0.1 0.08 Slight X Deform120* 25 -- 25 -- 25 25 0.09 Whitely X Turbid121 99 -- -- 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.02 O O122 60 -- -- 15 15 10 0.02 O O123 30 -- -- 30 20 20 0.02 O O124* 99.5 -- -- 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.10 Slight X Deform125* 25 -- -- 25 25 25 0.09 Whitely X Turbid126 99 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.3 -- 0.01 O O127 60 10 10 10 10 -- 0.02 O O128 30 15 20 15 20 -- 0.01 O O129* 99.5 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 -- 0.07 Slight X Deform130* 25 20 20 20 15 -- 0.07 Whitely X Turbid131 99 0.2 0.3 0.2 -- 0.3 0.01 O O132 60 10 10 10 -- 10 0.02 O O133 30 15 20 15 -- 20 0.02 O O134* 99.5 0.1 0.1 0.1 -- 0.2 0.07 Slight X Deform135* 25 20 20 20 -- 15 0.07 Whitely X Turbid136 99 0.2 0.3 -- 0.2 0.3 0.02 O O137 60 10 10 -- 10 10 0.01 O O138 30 15 20 -- 15 20 0.01 O O139* 99.5 0.1 0.1 -- 0.1 0.2 0.07 Slight X Deform140* 25 20 20 -- 20 15 0.09 Whitely X Turbid141 99 0.2 -- 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.02 O O142 60 10 -- 10 10 10 0.02 O O143 30 15 -- 20 15 20 0.02 O O144* 99.5 0.1 -- 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.06 Slight X Deform145* 25 20 -- 20 20 15 0.07 Whitely X Turbid146 99 -- 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.02 O O147 60 -- 10 10 10 10 0.02 O O148 30 -- 15 20 15 20 0.02 O O149* 99.5 -- 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.07 Slight X Deform150* 25 -- 20 20 20 15 0.08 Whitely X Turbid151 99 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.01 O O152 60 8 8 8 8 8 0.01 O O153 30 15 10 15 10 20 0.02 O O154* 99.5 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.07 Slight X Deform155* 25 15 15 15 15 15 0.06 Whitely X Turbid__________________________________________________________________________ (1) The mark * attached at the upper right side of the number of a sample represents a comparison example. (2) The mark O written in the item as to the shape accuracy after molding operations of 300 times shows the fact that the shape accuracy of the mol did not change. (3) The mark O written in the item as to the optical properties of the molded optical glass element shows the fact that the optical properties o the molded optical glass element is superior, while the mark X represents the reverse fact.
As seen from Table 1, when optical glass was molded by the mold according to the present invention, optical glass elements having a superior optical characteristic can be manufactured inexpensively in large quantities. The surface roughness and the shape accuracy of the molds did not change even after optical glass was molded 300 times by using the same molds. The molds according to the present invention have such features that the molds do not react with optical glass, and that the molds are improved in oxidation resistance as well as in mechanical characteristics such as strength and hardness. The molds have such a further feature that the molds can be worked to provide high surface quality and high shape accuracy by using a cutting tool and grains of diamond in a short time such as about an hour.
On the contrary, in the optical glass elements obtained by using the molds as described as those outside the scope of this invention, fine scars or variations in shape were generated and the optical characteristics thereof were deteriorated. Further, a very small quantity of optical glass adhered to the molds, resulting in such a phenomenon that the molds as well as the molded optical glass elements acquired a white appearance.
In the embodiment as described above, the hard metal having the composition of WC-10TiC-10TaC-8Co was used, however, the composition of the hard metal according to the present invention is not limited to such a composition as described above. Also, hard metal containing WC as a principal component and, for example, NbC, Mo.sub.2 C, Cr.sub.3 C.sub.2, VC, Ni, and the like, as additives may be used. Moreover, the respective shapes of the notch 3 and the molding surfaces 4 and 5 are not limited to those illustrated in the embodiment as described above and it is to be recognized that the notch 3 and the molding surfaces 4 and 5 may be shaped in the form of a prism, a filter, or the like.
EMBODIMENT 2
A noble metal alloy thin film having a thickness of 2 .mu.m was formed on cermet by the spattering method and an upper and a lower mold 1 and 2 were formed in the same manner as in the Embodiment 1, the noble metal alloy being a platinum-iridium alloy mixed with iridium (Ir) by 40 weight percent (Pt-40Ir), and the cermet containing titanium carbide (TiC) as its principal component, 5 weight % of niobium carbide (NbC) and 9 weight % of nickel (Ni) (Tic-5NbC-9Ni). Further, for the sake of comparison, molds were prepared by forming a thin film of a noble metal alloy outside the scope of claims of this application on such a base material as described above.
Experiments were performed by using each pair of upper and lower molds 1 and 2 as described above, in the same manner as in the Embodiment 1, and the results as shown in Table 2 were obtained.
TABLE 2__________________________________________________________________________Result of Molding of Optical Glass of Lead Oxide Group Surface Shape Optical Composition of Roughness Accuracy PropertySam- Noble Metal of Mold After After 300 of Moldedple Alloy (weight %) 300 Times Times OpticalNo. Pt Ir Rh Pd Ru Os Molding (.mu.m) Molding Glass__________________________________________________________________________1 99 1 -- -- -- -- 0.01 O O2 60 40 -- -- -- -- 0.01 O O3 30 70 -- -- -- -- 0.02 O O4* 99.5 0.5 -- -- -- -- 0.08 Slight X Deform5* 25 75 -- -- -- -- 0.09 Whitely X Turbid6 99 -- 1 -- -- -- 0.02 O O7 60 -- 40 -- -- -- 0.02 O O8 30 -- 70 -- -- -- 0.01 O O9* 99.5 -- 0.5 -- -- -- 0.09 Slight X Deform10* 25 -- 75 -- -- -- 0.08 Whitely X Turbid11 99 -- -- 1 -- -- 0.02 O O12 60 -- -- 40 -- -- 0.02 O O13 30 -- -- 70 -- -- 0.02 O O14* 99.5 -- -- 0.5 -- -- 0.10 Slight X Deform15* 25 -- -- 75 -- -- 0.12 Whitely X Turbid16 99 -- -- -- 1 -- 0.02 O O17 60 -- -- -- 40 -- 0.02 O O18 30 -- -- -- 70 -- 0.02 O O19* 99.5 -- -- -- 0.5 -- 0.08 Slight X Deform20* 25 -- -- -- 75 -- 0.07 Whitely X Turbid21 99 -- -- -- -- 1 0.02 O O22 60 -- -- -- -- 40 0.01 O O23 30 -- -- -- -- 70 0.02 O O24* 99.5 -- -- -- -- 0.5 0.08 Slight X Deform25* 25 -- -- -- -- 75 0.08 Whitely X Turbid26 99 0.5 0.5 -- -- -- 0.02 O O27 60 20 20 -- -- -- 0.01 O O28 30 35 35 -- -- -- 0.01 O O29* 99.5 0.2 0.3 -- -- -- 0.12 Slight X Deform30* 25 40 35 -- -- -- 0.09 Whitely X Turbid31 99 0.5 -- 0.5 -- -- 0.02 O O32 60 20 -- 20 -- -- 0.01 O O33 30 35 -- 35 -- -- 0.01 O O34* 99.5 0.2 -- 0.3 -- -- 0.10 Slight X Deform35* 25 40 -- 35 -- -- 0.08 Whitely X Turbid36 99 0.5 -- -- 0.5 -- 0.01 O O37 60 20 -- -- 20 -- 0.01 O O38 30 35 -- -- 35 -- 0.01 O O39* 99.5 0.2 -- -- 0.3 -- 0.09 Slight O Deform40* 25 40 -- -- 35 -- 0.07 Whitely X Turbid41 99 0.5 -- -- -- 0.5 0.01 O O42 60 20 -- -- -- 20 0.01 O O43 30 35 -- -- -- 35 0.02 O O44* 99.5 0.2 -- -- -- 0.3 0.11 Slight X Deform45* 25 40 -- -- -- 35 0.08 Whitely X Turbid46 99 -- 0.5 0.5 -- -- 0.02 O O47 60 -- 20 20 -- -- 0.01 O O48 30 -- 35 35 -- -- 0.02 O O49* 99.5 -- 0.2 0.3 -- -- 0.08 Slight X Deform50* 25 -- 40 35 -- -- 0.09 Whitely X Turbid51 99 -- 0.5 -- 0.5 -- 0.02 O O52 60 -- 20 20 -- 0.02 O O53 30 -- 35 -- 35 -- 0.02 O O54* 99.5 -- 0.2 -- 0.3 -- 0.09 Slight X Deform55* 25 -- 40 -- 35 -- 0.09 Whitely X56 99 -- 0.5 -- -- 0.5 0.01 O O57 60 -- 20 -- -- 20 0.02 O O58 30 -- 35 -- -- 35 0.02 O O59* 99.5 -- 0.2 -- -- 0.3 0.11 Slight X Deform60* 25 -- 40 -- -- 35 0.12 Whitely X Turbid61 99 -- -- 0.5 0.5 -- 0.02 O O62 60 -- -- 20 20 -- 0.01 O O63 30 -- -- 35 35 -- 0.01 O O64* 99.5 -- -- 0.2 0.3 -- 0.07 Slight X Deform65* 25 -- -- 40 35 -- 0.08 Whitely X Turbid66 99 -- -- 0.5 -- 0.5 0.02 O O67 60 -- -- 20 -- 20 0.02 O O68 30 -- -- 35 -- 35 0.02 O O69* 99.5 -- -- 0.2 -- 0.3 0.09 Slight X Deform70* 25 -- -- 40 -- 35 0.10 Whitely X Turbid71 99 -- -- -- 0.5 0.5 0.01 O O72 60 -- -- -- 20 20 0.01 O O73 30 -- -- -- 35 35 0.01 O O74* 99.5 -- -- -- 0.2 0.3 0.08 Slight X Deform75* 25 -- -- -- 40 35 0.12 Whitely X Turbid76 99 0.3 0.3 0.4 -- -- 0.01 O O77 60 15 15 10 -- -- 0.01 O O78 30 30 20 20 -- -- 0.01 O O79* 99.5 0.2 0.2 0.1 -- -- Slight X Deform80* 25 25 25 25 -- -- 0.07 Whitely X Turbid81 99 0.3 0.3 -- 0.4 -- 0.01 O O82 60 15 15 -- 10 -- 0.01 O O83 30 30 20 -- 20 -- 0.01 O O84* 99.5 0.2 0.2 -- 0.1 -- 0.08 Slight X Deform85* 25 25 25 -- 25 -- 0.10 Whitely X Turbid86 99 0.3 -- 0.3 0.4 -- 0.02 O O87 60 15 -- 15 10 -- 0.01 O O88 30 30 -- 20 20 -- 0.01 O O89* 99.5 0.2 -- 0.2 0.1 -- 0.12 Slight X Deform90* 25 25 -- 25 25 -- 0.10 Whitely X Turbid91 99 -- 0.3 0.3 0.4 -- 0.02 O O92 60 -- 15 15 10 -- 0.02 O O93 30 -- 30 20 20 -- 0.02 O O94* 99.5 -- 0.2 0.2 0.1 -- 0.10 Slight X Deform95* 25 -- 25 25 25 -- 0.11 Whitely X Turbid96 99 0.3 0.3 -- -- 0.4 0.01 O O97 60 15 15 -- -- 10 0.01 O O98 30 30 20 -- -- 20 0.01 O O99* 99.5 0.2 0.2 -- -- 0.1 0.07 Slight X Deform100* 25 25 25 -- 25 0.11 Whitely X Turbid101 99 0.3 -- 0.3 -- 0.4 0.01 O O102 60 15 -- 15 -- 10 0.01 O O103 30 30 -- 20 -- 20 0.02 O O104* 99.5 0.2 -- 0.2 -- 0.1 0.12 Slight X Deform105* 25 25 -- 25 -- 25 0.10 Whitely X Turbid106 99 -- 0.3 0.3 -- 0.4 0.02 O O107 60 -- 15 15 -- 10 0.02 O O108 30 -- 30 20 -- 20 0.02 O O109* 99.5 -- 0.2 0.2 -- 0.1 0.09 Slight X Deform110* 25 -- 25 25 -- 25 0.11 Whitely X Turbid111 99 0.3 -- -- 0.3 0.4 0.01 O O112 60 15 -- -- 15 10 0.01 O O113 30 30 -- -- 20 20 0.01 O O114* 99.5 0.2 -- -- 0.2 0.1 0.07 Slight X Deform115* 25 25 -- -- 25 25 0.09 Whitely X Turbid116 99 -- 0.3 -- 0.3 0.4 0.02 O O117 60 -- 15 -- 15 10 0.01 O O118 30 -- 30 -- 20 20 0.02 O O119* 99.5 -- 0.2 -- 0.2 0.1 0.10 Slight X Deform120* 25 -- 25 -- 25 25 0.12 Whitely X Turbid121 99 -- -- 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.02 O O122 60 -- -- 15 15 10 0.02 O O123 30 -- -- 30 20 20 0.02 O O124* 99.5 -- -- 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.07 Slight X Deform125* 25 -- -- 25 25 25 0.06 Whitely X Turbid126 99 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.3 -- 0.01 O O127 60 10 10 10 10 -- 0.01 O O128 30 15 20 15 20 -- 0.01 O O129* 99.5 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 -- 0.07 Slight X Deform130* 25 20 20 20 15 -- 0.07 Whitely X Turbid131 99 0.2 0.3 0.2 -- 0.3 0.01 O O132 60 10 10 10 -- 10 0.02 O O133 30 15 20 15 -- 20 0.01 O O134* 99.5 0.1 0.1 0.1 -- 0.2 0.08 Slight X Deform135* 25 20 20 20 -- 15 0.09 Whitely X Turbid136 99 0.2 0.3 -- 0.2 0.3 0.01 O O137 60 10 10 -- 10 10 0.01 O O138 30 15 20 -- 15 20 0.01 O O139* 99.5 0.1 0.1 -- 0.1 0.2 0.07 Slight X Deform140* 25 20 20 -- 20 15 0.06 Whitely X Turbid141 99 0.2 -- 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.01 O O142 60 10 -- 10 10 10 0.01 O O143 30 15 -- 20 15 20 0.02 O O144* 99.5 0.1 -- 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.08 Slight X Deform145* 25 20 -- 20 20 15 0.06 Whitely X Turbid146 99 -- 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.02 O O147 60 -- 10 10 10 10 0.02 O O148 30 -- 15 20 15 20 0.01 O O149* 99.5 -- 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.07 Slight X Deform150* 25 -- 20 20 20 15 0.07 Whitely X Turbid151 99 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.01 O O152 60 8 8 8 8 8 0.01 O O153 30 15 10 15 10 20 0.02 O O154* 99.5 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.06 Slight X Deform155* 25 15 15 15 15 15 0.07 Whitely X Turbid__________________________________________________________________________ Note: (1) The mark * attached at the upper right side of the number of a sample represents a comparison example. (2) The mark O written in the item as to the shape accuracy after molding operations of 300 times shows the fact that the shape accuracy of the mol did not change. (3) The mark O written in the item as to the optical properties of the molded optical glass element shows the fact that the optical properties o the molded optical glass element is superior, while the mark X represents the reverse fact.
As seen from Table 2, when optical glass was molded by the mold according to the present invention, the optical glass elements having a superior optical characteristic can be manufactured inexpensively in large quantities. The surface roughness and the shape accuracy of the molds did not change even after optical glass was molded 300 times by using the same molds.
On the contrary, in the optical glass elements obtained by using the molds as described as those outside the scope of this invention, fine scars or variations in shape were generated and the optical characteristics thereof were deteriorated. Further, a very small quantity of optical glass adhered to on the molds, resulting in such a phenomenon that the molds as well as the molded optical glass elements acquired a white appearance.
In the embodiment as described above, cermet having the composition of TiC-5NbC-9Ni was used, however, the composition of the cermet is not limited to such a composition as described above, but cermet containing TiC as a principal component and, for example, TiN, TaC, Mo.sub.2 C, Cr.sub.3 C.sub.2, VC, ZrC, Mo, Co, Cr, and the like, as additives, may be used.
EMBODIMENT 3
As the material for both the upper and lower molds 1 and 2, a cylindrical blank made of cermet having a diameter of 30 mm and a length of 50 mm was used, the cermet containing titanium nitride (TiN) as a principal component, 30 weight % of titanium carbide (TiC) and 7 weight % of molybdenum (Mo) (hereinafter referred to as (Tin-30TiC-7Mo)). A concave molding surface 4 having a curvature radius of 25 mm and angle notches 3 at six portions at the periphery of the concave molding surfaces were formed in the upper mold 1 and a concave molding surface 5 having a curvature radius of 100 mm were formed in the lower mold 2 by discharge work. Further, these molding surfaces 4 and 5 were worked by a precise NC grinder so as to improve the shape accuracy, and lapped and polished so as to provide mirror surfaces respectively.
Next, a noble metal alloy thin film having a thickness of 50 .mu.m was formed by a spattering method on each of the molding surfaces 4 and 5 which were finished to be mirror surfaces. The noble metal alloy is a platinum-irridium alloy mixed with irridium by 40 weight % (Pt-40Ir). Each of the molding surfaces 4 and 5 coated with the noble metal alloy thin film was worked into the form of an aspherical mirror surface by a diamond grinding method in which a diamond cutting-tool was used in an ultra-precise NC lathe. An almost perfect mirror surface was obtained only by performing this work, however, slight lather cutting scars remained and a polishing operation was further performed in a short time to eliminate the scars to thereby make the mirror surface perfect.
As shown in FIG. 2, heaters 6 and 7 are wound around the outer surfaces of the foregoing upper and lower molds 1 and 2, and attached onto an upper and a lower plunger 8 and 9 of a press respectively. A spherical block 11 of lead oxide group optical glass having a radius of 20 mm was put on the molding surface 5 of the lower mold 2 and the upper mold 1 was approached to an extent not to allow the upper mold to come into contact with the lead oxide group optical glass spherical block 11, the lead oxide group optical glass containing 80 weight % of lead oxide (PbO), 10 weight % of silicon oxide (SiO.sub.2), 8 weight % of boric acid (B.sub.2 O.sub.3) and a few rate of remainder. The upper and lower molds 1 and 2 were heated to 570.degree. C., and maintained in this state for 2 minutes to soften the lead oxide group optical glass spherical block 11. Immediately thereafter, the temperature of the upper and lower molds 1 and 2 is made to be 430.degree. C. and a pressure of 30 kg/cm.sup.2 is maintained between the upper and lower molds 1 and 2 for 2 minutes. After the upper and lower molds 1 and 2 were cooled to 280.degree. C. in the state as they were, the upper plunger 8 was returned and the molded optical glass element was taken out through a removal opening 14. Such a press-molding operation was repeated 300 times and thereafter the upper and lower molds 1 and 2 were detached. The shape accuracy and the surface roughness of the molding surfaces 4 and 5 of the upper and lower molds as well as the optical characteristic of the molded optical glass elements were examined.
These examinations were repeated with respect to various pairs of molds respectively having noble metal alloy thin films which were different in thickness. The results of examinations are shown in Table 3. For the sake of comparison, other molds were prepared by forming thin films nobel metal alloys which were outside the scope of those alloys of this invention on cermet, and examined under the same molding conditions as described above. The results of the examinations are also shown in Table 3.
TABLE 3__________________________________________________________________________ Surface Shape Optical Composition of Roughness Accuracy PropertySam- Noble Metal of Mold After After 300 of Moldedple Alloy (weight %) 300 Times Times OpticalNo. Pt Ir Rh Pd Ru Os Molding (.mu.m) Molding Glass__________________________________________________________________________1 99 1 -- -- -- -- 0.01 O O2 60 40 -- -- -- -- 0.01 O O3 30 70 -- -- -- -- 0.01 O O4* 99.5 0.5 -- -- -- -- 0.09 Slight X Deform5* 25 75 -- -- -- -- 0.08 Whitely X Turbid6 99 -- 1 -- -- -- 0.02 O7 60 -- 40 -- -- -- 0.01 O O8 30 -- 70 -- -- -- 0.01 O O9* 99.5 -- 0.5 -- -- -- 0.10 Slight X Deform10* 25 -- 75 -- -- -- 0.11 Whitely X Turbid11 99 -- -- 1 -- -- 0.02 O O12 60 -- -- 40 -- -- 0.02 O O13 30 -- -- 70 -- -- 0.02 O O14* 99.5 -- -- 0.5 -- -- 0.07 Slight X Deform15* 25 -- -- 75 -- -- 0.07 Whitely X Turbid16 99 -- -- -- 1 -- 0.02 O O17 60 -- -- -- 40 -- 0.02 O O18 30 -- -- -- 70 -- 0.01 O O19* 99.5 -- -- -- 0.5 -- 0.06 Slight X Deform20* 25 -- -- -- 75 -- 0.08 Whitely X Turbid21 99 -- -- -- -- 1 0.02 O O22 60 -- -- -- -- 40 0.01 O O23 30 -- -- -- -- 70 0.01 O O24* 99.5 -- -- -- -- 0.5 0.09 Slight X Deform25* 25 -- -- -- -- 75 0.08 Whitely X Turbid26 99 0.5 0.5 -- -- -- 0.01 O O27 60 20 20 -- -- -- 0.01 O O28 30 35 35 -- -- -- 0.01 O O29* 99.5 0.2 0.3 -- -- -- 0.06 Slight X Deform30* 25 40 35 -- -- -- 0.06 Whitely X Turbid31 99 0.5 -- 0.5 -- -- 0.01 O O32 60 20 -- 20 -- -- 0.01 O O33 30 35 -- 35 -- -- 0.01 O O34* 99.5 0.2 -- 0.3 -- -- 0.08 Slight X Deform35* 25 40 -- 35 -- -- 0.06 Whitely X Turbid36 99 0.5 -- -- 0.5 -- 0.01 O O37 60 20 -- -- 20 -- 0.01 O O38 30 35 -- -- 35 -- 0.02 O O39* 99.5 0.2 -- -- 0.3 -- 0.09 Slight X Deform40* 25 40 -- -- 35 -- 0.07 Whitely X Turbid41 99 0.5 -- -- -- 0.5 0.01 O O42 60 20 -- -- -- 20 0.01 O O43 30 35 -- -- -- 35 0.01 O O44* 99.5 0.2 -- -- -- 0.3 0.09 Slight X Deform45* 25 40 -- -- -- 35 0.09 Whitely X46 99 -- 0.5 0.5 -- -- 0.02 O O47 60 -- 20 20 -- -- 0.01 O O48 30 -- 35 35 -- -- 0.01 O O49* 99.5 -- 0.2 0.3 -- -- 0.07 Slight X Deform50* 25 -- 40 35 -- -- 0.09 Whitely X Turbid51 99 -- 0.5 -- 0.5 -- 0.02 O O52 60 -- 20 20 -- 0.02 O O53 30 -- 35 -- 35 -- 0.02 O O54* 99.5 -- 0.2 -- 0.3 -- 0.10 Slight X Deform55* 25 -- 40 -- 35 -- 0.11 Whitely X Turbid56 99 -- 0.5 -- -- 0.5 0.01 O O57 60 -- 20 -- -- 20 0.01 O O58 30 -- 35 -- -- 35 0.02 O O59* 99.5 -- 0.2 -- -- 0.3 0.10 Slight X Deform60* 25 -- 40 -- -- 35 0.08 Whitely X Turbid61 99 -- -- 0.5 0.5 -- 0.02 O O62 60 -- -- 20 20 -- 0.02 O O63 30 -- -- 35 35 -- 0.02 O O64* 99.5 -- -- 0.2 0.3 -- 0.07 Slight X Deform65* 25 -- -- 40 35 -- 0.08 Whitely X Turbid66 99 -- -- 0.5 -- 0.5 0.02 O O67 60 -- -- 20 -- 20 0.01 O O68 30 -- -- 35 -- 35 0.01 O O69* 99.5 -- -- 0.2 -- 0.3 0.08 Slight X Deform70* 25 -- -- 40 -- 35 0.08 Whitely X Turbid71 99 -- -- -- 0.5 0.5 0.01 O O72 60 -- -- -- 20 20 0.01 O O73 30 -- -- -- 35 35 0.01 O O74* 99.5 -- -- -- 0.2 0.2 0.09 Slight X Deform75* 25 -- -- -- 40 35 0.07 Whitely X Turbid76 99 0.3 0.3 0.4 -- -- 0.01 O O77 60 15 15 10 -- -- 0.01 O O78 30 30 20 20 -- -- 0.01 O O79* 99.5 0.2 0.2 0.1 -- -- 0.06 Slight X Deform80* 25 25 25 25 -- -- 0.06 Whitely X Turbid81 99 0.3 0.3 -- 0.4 -- 0.01 O O82 60 15 15 -- 10 -- 0.01 O O83 30 30 20 -- 20 -- 0.01 O O84* 99.5 0.2 0.2 -- 0.1 -- 0.07 Slight X Deform85* 25 25 25 -- 25 -- 0.07 Whitely X Turbid86 99 0.3 -- 0.3 0.4 -- 0.02 O O87 60 15 -- 15 10 -- 0.01 O O88 30 30 -- 20 20 -- 0.01 O O89* 99.5 0.2 -- 0.2 0.1 -- 0.08 Slight X Deform90* 25 25 -- 25 25 -- 0.06 Whitely X Turbid91 99 -- 0.3 0.3 0.4 -- 0.02 O O92 60 -- 15 15 10 -- 0.02 O O93 30 -- 30 20 20 -- 0.02 O O94* 99.5 -- 0.2 0.2 0.1 -- 0.07 Slight X Deform95* 25 -- 25 25 25 -- 0.07 Whitely X Turbid96 99 0.3 0.3 -- -- 0.4 0.01 O O97 60 15 15 -- -- 10 0.01 O O98 30 30 20 -- -- 20 0.01 O O99* 99.5 0.2 0.2 -- -- 0.1 0.06 Slight X Deform100* 25 25 25 -- 25 0.07 Whitely X Turbid101 99 0.3 -- 0.3 -- 0.4 0.01 O O102 60 15 -- 15 -- 10 0.01 O O103 30 30 -- 20 -- 20 0.01 O O104* 99.5 0.2 -- 0.2 -- 0.1 0.09 Slight X Deform105* 25 25 -- 25 -- 25 0.08 Whitely X Turbid106 99 -- 0.3 0.3 -- 0.4 0.02 O O107 60 -- 15 15 -- 10 0.01 O O108 30 -- 30 20 -- 20 0.02 O O109* 99.5 -- 0.2 0.2 -- 0.1 0.09 Slight X Deform110* 25 -- 25 25 -- 25 0.08 Whitely X Turbid111 99 0.3 -- -- 0.3 0.4 0.01 O O112 60 15 -- -- 15 10 0.01 O O113 30 30 -- -- 20 20 0.01 O O114* 99.5 0.2 -- -- 0.2 0.1 0.07 Slight X Deform115* 25 25 -- -- 25 25 0.06 Whitely X Turbid116 99 -- 0.3 -- 0.3 4 0.02 O O117 60 -- 15 -- 15 10 0.02 O O118 30 -- 30 -- 20 20 0.02 O O119* 99.5 -- 0.2 -- 0.2 0.1 0.11 Slight X Deform120* 25 -- 25 -- 25 25 0.10 Whitely X Turbid121 99 -- -- 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.02 O O122 60 -- -- 15 15 10 0.01 O O123 30 -- -- 30 20 20 0.02 O O124* 99.5 -- -- 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.09 Slight X Deform125* 25 -- -- 25 25 25 0.11 Whitely X Turbid126 99 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.3 -- 0.01 O O127 60 10 10 10 10 -- 0.01 O O128 30 15 20 15 20 -- 0.01 O O129* 99.5 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 -- 0.07 Slight X Deform130* 25 20 20 20 15 -- 0.06 Whitely X Turbid131 99 0.2 0.3 0.2 -- 0.3 0.01 O O132 60 10 10 10 -- 10 0.01 O O133 30 15 20 15 -- 20 0.01 O O134* 99.5 0.1 0.1 0.1 -- 0.2 0.07 Slight X Deform135* 25 20 20 20 -- 15 0.08 Whitely X Turbid136 99 0.2 0.3 -- 0.2 0.3 0.01 O O137 60 10 10 -- 10 10 0.01 O O138 30 15 20 -- 15 20 0.01 O O139* 99.5 0.1 0.1 -- 0.1 0.2 0.09 Slight X Deform140* 25 20 20 -- 20 15 0.06 Whitely X Turbid141 99 0.2 -- 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.02 O O142 60 10 -- 10 10 10 0.01 O O143 30 15 -- 20 15 20 0.01 O O144* 99.5 0.1 -- 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.08 Slight X Deform145* 25 20 -- 20 20 15 0.07 Whitely X Turbid146 99 -- 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.02 O O147 60 -- 10 10 10 10 0.02 O O148 30 -- 15 20 15 20 0.01 O O149* 99.5 -- 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.11 Slight X Deform150* 25 -- 20 20 20 15 0.08 Whitely X Turbid151 99 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.02 O O152 60 8 8 8 8 8 0.01 O O153 30 15 10 15 10 20 0.01 O O154* 99.5 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.07 Slight X Deform155* 25 15 15 15 15 15 0.07 Whitely X Turbid__________________________________________________________________________ Note: (1) The mark * attached at the upper right side of the number of a sample represents a comparison example. (2) The mark O written in the item as to the shape accuracy after molding operations of 300 times shows the fact that the shape accuracy of the mol did not change. (3) The mark O written in the item as to the optical properties of the molded optical glass element shows the fact that the optical properties o the molded optical glass element is superior, while the mark X represents the reverse fact.
As seen from Table 3, when optical glass was molded by the mold according to the present invention, the optical glass elements having a superior optical characteristic can be manufactured inexpensively in large quantities. The surface roughness and the shape accuracy of the molds did not change even after optical glass was molded 300 times by using the same molds.
On the contrary, in the optical glass elements obtained by using the molds as described as those outside the scope of this invention, fine scars or variations in shape were generated and the optical characteristics thereof were deteriorated. Further, a very small quantity of optical glass adhered to the molds, resulting in such a phenomenon that the molds as well as the molded optical glass elements acquired a white appearance.
In the embodiment as described above, cermet having the composition of TiN-30TiC-7Mo was used, however, the composition of the cermet is not limited to such a composition as described above, but cermet containing TiN as a principal component and, for example, TaC, WC, NbC, TaN, MoC, Cr.sub.3 C.sub.2, VC, Ni, Co, and the like, as additives, may be used.
EMBODIMENT 4
As an upper mold 1, a cylindrical blank made of cermet (Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 -25Cr) having a diameter of 30 mm and a length of 50 mm was used, the cermet containing alumina (Al.sub.2 O.sub.3) as its principal component and 25 weight % of chromium (Cr), and as a lower mold 2, a cylindrical blank made of cermet (Cr.sub.3 C.sub.2 -13Ni) having a diameter of 30 mm and a length of 50 mm was used, the cermet containing chromium carbide (Cr.sub.3 C.sub.2) as its principal component and 13 weight % of nickel (Ni). A concave molding surface 4 having a curvature radius of 25 mm and angle notches 3 at six portions at the periphery of the concave molding surfaces were formed in the upper mold 1 and a concave molding surface 5 having a curvature radius of 100 mm were formed in the lower mold 2 by discharge work. Further, these molding surfaces 4 and 5 were worked by a precise NC grinder so as to improve in shape accuracy, and lapped and polished so as to provide mirror surfaces respectively.
Next, a noble metal alloy thin film having a thickness of 50 .mu.m was formed by a spattering method on each of the molding surfaces 4 and 5 which were finished to be mirror surfaces. The noble metal alloy was a platinum-irridium alloy mixed with irridium by 40 weight % (Pt-40Ir). Each of the molding surfaces 4 and 5 coated with the noble metal alloy thin film was worked into the form of an aspherical mirror surface by a diamond grinding method in which a diamond cutting-tool was used in an ultra-precise NC lathe.
Lead oxide group optical glass containing 80 weight % of PbO, 10 weight % of SiO.sub.2, 8 weight % of B.sub.2 O.sub.3 and a remainder of a few rate, was molded by using the molds 1 and 2 in the same manner as in the Embodiment 3 and the molded results are shown in Table 4.
TABLE 4__________________________________________________________________________Result of Molding of Optical Glass of Lead Oxide Group Surface Shape Optical Composition of Roughness Accuracy PropertySam- Noble Metal of Mold After After 300 of Moldedple Alloy (weight %) 300 Times Times OpticalNo. Pt Ir Rh Pd Ru Os Molding (.mu.m) Molding Glass__________________________________________________________________________1 99 1 -- -- -- -- 0.01 O O2 60 40 -- -- -- -- 0.01 O O3 30 70 -- -- -- -- 0.01 O O4* 99.5 0.5 -- -- -- -- 0.08 Slight X Deform5* 25 75 -- -- -- -- 0.07 Whitely X Turbid6 99 -- 1 -- -- -- 0.02 O O7 60 -- 40 -- -- -- 0.01 O O8 30 -- 70 -- -- -- 0.01 O O9* 99.5 -- 0.5 -- -- -- 0.12 Slight X Deform10* 25 -- 75 -- -- -- 0.09 Whitely X Turbid11 99 -- -- 1 -- -- 0.02 O O12 60 -- -- 40 -- -- 0.02 O O13 30 -- -- 70 -- -- 0.01 O O14* 99.5 -- -- 0.5 -- -- 0.09 Slight X Deform15* 25 -- -- 75 -- -- 0.06 Whitely X Turbid16 99 -- -- -- 1 -- 0.02 O O17 60 -- -- -- 40 -- 0.01 O O18 30 -- -- -- 70 -- 0.01 O O19* 99.5 -- -- -- 0.5 -- 0.09 Slight X Deform20* 25 -- -- -- 75 -- 0.08 Whitely X Turbid21 99 -- -- -- -- 1 0.02 O O22 60 -- -- -- -- 40 0.02 O O23 30 -- -- -- -- 70 0.02 O O24* 99.5 -- -- -- -- 0.5 0.11 Slight X Deform25* 25 -- -- -- -- 75 0.10 Whitely X Turbid26 99 0.5 0.5 -- -- -- 0.01 O O27 60 20 20 -- -- -- 0.01 O O28 30 35 35 -- -- -- 0.01 O O29* 99.5 0.2 0.3 -- -- -- 0.06 Slight X Deform30* 25 40 35 -- -- -- 0.07 Whitely X Turbid31 99 0.5 -- 0.5 -- -- 0.01 O O32 60 20 -- 20 -- -- 0.01 O O33 30 35 -- 35 -- -- 0.01 O O34* 99.5 0.2 -- 0.3 -- -- 0.06 Slight X Deform35* 25 40 -- 35 -- -- 0.05 Whitely X Turbid36 99 0.5 -- -- 0.5 -- 0.01 O O37 60 20 -- -- 20 -- 0.01 O O38 30 35 -- -- 35 -- 0.01 O O39* 99.5 0.2 -- -- 0.5 -- 0.07 Slight X Deform40* 25 40 -- -- 35 -- 0.06 Whitely X Turbid41 99 0.5 -- -- -- 0.5 0.01 O O42 60 20 -- -- -- 20 0.01 O O43 30 35 -- -- -- 35 0.01 O O44* 99.5 0.2 -- -- -- 0.3 0.07 Slight X Deform45* 25 40 -- -- -- 35 0.07 Whitely X Turbid46 99 -- 0.5 0.5 -- -- 0.02 O O47 60 -- 20 20 -- -- 0.01 O O48 30 -- 35 35 -- -- 0.01 O O49* 99.5 -- 0.2 0.3 -- -- 0.06 Slight X Deform50* 25 -- 40 35 -- -- 0.07 Whitely X Turbid51 99 -- 0.5 -- 0.5 -- 0.01 O O52 60 -- 20 -- 20 -- 0.01 O O53 30 -- 35 -- 35 -- 0.02 O O54* 99.5 -- 0.2 -- 0.3 -- 0.07 Slight X Deform55* 25 -- 40 -- 35 -- 0.08 Whitely X Turbid56 99 -- 0.5 -- -- 0.5 0.02 O O57 60 -- 20 -- -- 20 0.02 O O58 30 -- 35 -- -- 35 0.01 O O59* 99.5 -- 0.2 -- -- 0.3 0.09 Slight X Deform60* 25 -- 40 -- -- 35 0.07 Whitely X Turbid61 99 -- -- 0.5 0.5 -- 0.02 O O62 60 -- -- 20 20 -- 0.02 O O63 30 -- -- 35 35 -- 0.02 O O64* 99.5 -- -- 0.2 0.3 -- 0.09 Slight X Deform65* 25 -- -- 40 35 -- 0.10 Whitely X Turbid66 99 -- -- 0.5 -- 0.5 0.02 O O67 60 -- -- 20 -- 20 0.01 O O68 30 -- -- 35 -- 35 0.02 O O69* 99.5 -- -- 0.2 -- 0.3 0.12 Slight X Deform70* 25 -- -- 40 -- 35 0.11 Whitely X Turbid71 99 -- -- -- 0.5 0.5 0.02 O O72 60 -- -- -- 20 20 0.02 O O73 30 -- -- -- 35 35 0.02 O O74* 99.5 -- -- -- 0.2 0.3 0.10 Slight X Deform75* 25 -- -- -- 40 35 0.12 Whitely X Turbid76 99 0.3 0.3 0.4 -- -- 0.01 O77 60 15 15 10 -- -- 0.01 O78 30 30 20 20 -- -- 0.01 O79* 99.5 0.2 0.2 0.1 -- -- 0.06 Slight X Deform80* 25 25 25 25 -- -- 0.08 Whitely X Turbid81 99 0.3 0.3 -- 0.4 -- 0.01 O O82 60 15 15 -- 10 -- 0.01 O O83 30 30 20 -- 20 -- 0.01 O O84* 99.5 0.2 0.2 -- 0.1 -- 0.06 Slight X Deform85* 25 25 25 -- 25 -- 0.06 Whitely X Turbid86 99 0.3 -- 0.3 0.4 -- 0.01 O O87 60 15 -- 15 10 -- 0.01 O O88 30 30 -- 20 20 -- 0.01 O O89* 99.5 0.2 -- 0.2 0.1 -- 0.06 Slight X Deform90* 25 25 -- 25 25 -- 0.07 Whitely X Turbid91 99 -- 0.3 0.3 0.4 -- 0.02 O O92 60 -- 15 15 10 -- 0.02 O O93 30 -- 30 20 20 -- 0.02 O O94* 99.5 -- 0.2 0.2 0.1 -- 0.11 Slight X Deform95* 25 -- 25 25 25 -- 0.12 Whitely X Turbid96 99 0.3 0.3 -- -- 0.4 0.01 O O97 60 15 15 -- -- 10 0.01 O O98 30 30 20 -- -- 20 0.01 O O99* 99.5 0.2 0.2 -- -- 0.1 0.06 Slight X Deform100* 25 25 25 -- -- 25 0.05 Whitely X Turbid101 99 0.3 -- 0.3 -- 0.4 0.01 O O102 60 15 -- 15 -- 10 0.01 O O103 30 30 -- 20 -- 20 0.01 O O104* 99.5 0.2 -- 0.2 -- 0.1 0.09 Slight X Deform105* 25 25 -- 25 -- 25 0.08 Whitely X Turbid106 99 -- 0.3 0.3 -- 0.4 0.02 O O107 60 -- 15 15 -- 10 0.01 O O108 30 -- 30 20 -- 20 0.01 O O109* 99.5 -- 0.2 0.2 -- 0.1 0.07 Slight X110* 25 -- 25 25 -- 25 0.06 Whitely X Turbid111 99 0.3 -- -- 0.3 0.4 0.01 O O112 60 15 -- -- 15 10 0.01 O O113 30 30 -- -- 20 20 0.01 O O114* 99.5 0.2 -- -- 0.2 0.1 0.06 Slight X Deform115* 25 25 -- -- 25 25 0.07 Whitely X Turbid116 99 -- 0.3 -- 0.3 0.4 0.02 O O117 60 -- 15 -- 15 10 0.02 O O118 30 -- 30 -- 20 20 0.01 O O119* 99.5 -- 0.2 -- 0.2 0.1 0.09 Slight X Deform120* 25 -- 25 -- 25 25 0.06 Whitely X Turbid121 99 -- -- 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.02 O O122 60 -- -- 15 15 10 0.01 O O123 30 -- -- 30 20 20 0.02 O O124* 99.5 -- -- 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.10 Slight X Deform125* 25 -- -- 25 25 25 0.08 Whitely X Turbid126 99 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.3 -- 0.01 O O127 60 10 10 10 10 -- 0.01 O O128 30 15 20 15 20 -- 0.01 O O129* 99.5 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 -- 0.06 Slight X Deform130* 25 20 20 20 15 -- 0.07 Whitely X Turbid131 99 0.2 0.3 0.2 -- 0.3 0.01 O O132 60 10 10 10 -- 10 0.01 O O133 30 15 20 15 -- 20 0.01 O O134* 99.5 0.1 0.1 0.1 -- 0.2 0.09 Slight X Deform135* 25 20 20 20 -- 15 0.07 Whitely X Turbid136 99 0.2 0.3 -- 0.2 0.3 0.01 O O137 60 10 10 -- 10 10 0.01 O O138 30 15 20 -- 15 20 0.01 O O139* 99.5 0.1 0.1 -- 0.1 0.2 0.07 Slight X Deform140* 25 20 20 -- 20 15 0.05 Whitely X Turbid141 99 0.2 -- 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.01 O O142 60 10 -- 10 10 10 0.01 O O143 30 15 -- 20 15 20 0.01 O O144* 99.5 0.1 -- 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.08 Slight X Deform145* 25 20 -- 20 20 15 0.07 Whitely X Turbid146 99 -- 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.02 O O147 60 -- 10 10 10 10 0.01 O O148 30 -- 15 20 15 20 0.02 O O149* 99.5 -- 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.07 Slight X Deform150* 25 -- 20 20 20 15 0.07 Whitely X Turbid151 99 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.01 O O152 60 8 8 .sup.[8 8 8 0.01 O O153 30 15 10 15 10 20 0.01 O O154* 99.5 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.06 Slight X Deform155* 25 15 15 15 15 15 0.07 Whitely X Turbid__________________________________________________________________________ Note: (1) The mark * attached at the upper right side of the number of a sample represents a comparison example. (2) The mark O written in the item as to the shape accuracy after molding operations of 300 times shows the fact that the shape accuracy of the mol did not change. (3) The mark O written in the item as to the optical properties of the molded optical glass element shows the fact that the optical properties o the molded optical glass element is superior, while the mark X represents the reverse fact.
As seen from Table 4, when optical glass was molded by the mold according to the present invention, the optical glass elements having a superior optical characteristic can be manufactured inexpensively in large quantities. The surface roughness and the shape accuracy of the molds did not change even after optical glass was molded 300 times by using the same molds.
On the contrary, in the optical glass elements obtained by using the molds as described as those outside the scope of this invention, fine scars or variations in shape were generated and the optical characteristics thereof were deteriorated. Further, a very small quantity of optical glass adhered to the molds, resulting in such a phenomenon that the molds as well as the molded optical glass elements acquired a white appearance.
In the embodiment as described above, cermet having the composition of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 -25Cr and the composition of Cr.sub.3 C.sub.2 -13Ni was used, however, the composition of the cermet is not limited to such a composition as described above, but cermet containing Cr.sub.3 C.sub.2 as a principal component and, for example, MgO, CaO, Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, TiC, TaC, WC, Mo, Fe, W, and the like, as additives, may be used.

Number	Date	Country
59-99059	May 1984	JPX
59-118478	Jun 1984	JPX
59-121344	Jun 1984	JPX
59-121345	Jun 1984	JPX
59-121346	Jun 1984	JPX

Number	Name	Date
1466640	Coleman	Aug 1923
1868863	Watson et al.	Jul 1932
2947114	Hill	Aug 1960
3397976	Hynd	Aug 1968
3436203	Wu	Apr 1969
3736109	Darling et al.	May 1973
3932085	Horbach	Jan 1976
4139677	Blair et al.	Feb 1979

Molding method for producing optical glass element

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US Referenced Citations (8)