Glass composition and articles

Abstract

This invention provides a novel glass composition having numerous uses. More particularly, the invention provides a single phase, radiopaque glass composition.

I claim: 
     
       1. A single phase glass composition consisting essentially of, in percent by weight:   ______________________________________                                    
Zinc oxide             20 to 35%                                          
Silica                 45 to 65%                                          
Boric oxide            3 to 15%                                           
Aluminum oxide         0 to 10%                                           
Aluminum fluoride      At least 2%                                        
Alkali metal oxide or  0 to 5%                                            
alkaline earth metal oxide                                                
______________________________________                                    
     wherein the combined weight of aluminum oxide and aluminum fluoride is in the range of at least about 5%, and wherein said composition exhibits an X-ray absorption characteristic of at least 1/16 inch.   
     
     
       2. A .Iadd.single phase glass .Iaddend.composition in accordance with claim 1, wherein said glass consists essentially of, in percent by weight:   ______________________________________                                    
Zinc oxide       25 to 28%                                                
Silica           46 to 48%                                                
Boric oxide      6 to 9%                                                  
Aluminum oxide   1 to 3%                                                  
Aluminum fluoride                                                         
                 17 to 19%                                                
______________________________________                                    
     wherein the combined weight of aluminum oxide and aluminum fluoride .Iadd.is in the range of at least about 5%, and .Iaddend.is not greater than about 20%.Iadd., and wherein such composition exhibits an X-ray absorption characteristic of at least 1/16 inch.Iaddend..   
     
     
       3. A composition in accordance with claim 1, wherein said composition exhibits an X-ray absorption characteristic of at least 3/32 inch. 
     
     
       4. A prosthesis comprising a glass composition of claim 1. .Iadd.5. A single phase composition consisting essentially of, in percent by weight:   .Iadd.                                                                    
______________________________________                                    
Zinc oxide         20 to 35%                                              
Silica             45 to 65%                                              
Boric oxide         3 to 15%                                              
Aluminum oxide      0 to 10%                                              
Alkali metal oxide or                                                     
                   0 to 5%                                                
alkaline earth metal oxide                                                
______________________________________                                    
.Iaddend.
     and aluminum fluoride, wherein the combined weight of aluminum oxide and aluminum fluoride is at least about 5%, the weight of aluminum fluoride is sufficient to contribute to the melt fluidity of the glass and enable it to be poured in the form of thin filaments for rapid cooling thereof, and said composition exhibits an X-ray absorption characteristic of at least 1/16 inch.  .Iadd.6. A composition according to claim 5, wherein said combined weight of aluminum oxide and aluminum fluoride is not greater than about 20%. .Iaddend. .Iadd.7. A prosthesis comprising a glass composition of claim 5. .Iaddend.