Vacuum insulated glass (VIG) unit including nano-composite pillars, and/or methods of making the same
Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to composite pillar arrangements for VIG units that include both harder and softer materials. The softer materials are located on the outside or extremities of the central, harder pillar material. In certain example embodiments, a high aspect ratio mineral lamellae is separated by an organic “glue” or polymer. When provided around a high strength pillar, the combination of the pillar and such a nano-composite structure may advantageously result in superior strength compared to a monolithic system, e.g., where significant wind loads, thermal stresses, and/or the like are encountered.
1. A vacuum insulated glass (VIG) unit, comprising:
first and second substantially parallel, spaced apart, glass substrates with a gap provided therebetween;
an edge seal provided proximate a periphery of the VIG unit between the first and second glass substrates to form an hermetic seal and define an edge of the gap;
a plurality of spacers provided between the first and second glass substrates for spacing the first and second substrates apart and helping define the gap;
a first lamellar coating to impart closure stresses on the first and/or second glass substrate(s) proximate to the spacers to at least partially offset tensile stress, wherein the first lamellar coating is provided across an entire viewing area of the VIG unit on one of the first and second substrates,
a second lamellar coating, on the spacers or the other of the substrates on which the first lamellar coating is not provided, so that the spacers are between the first and second lamellar coatings, and
wherein the gap is provided at a pressure less than atmospheric pressure.
2. The VIG unit of claim 1 , wherein the first and/or second lamellar coating comprises MoS 2 having a substantially crystal structure.
3. The VIG unit of claim 1 , wherein the first and/or second lamellar coating comprises graphite.
4. The VIG unit of claim 1 , wherein the first and/or second lamellar coating comprises PTFE.
5. The VIG unit of claim 1 , wherein the first and/or second lamellar coating comprises nano-clay and polymer.
6. The VIG unit of claim 5 , wherein the nano-clay and polymer inclusive coating comprises nanometer-sized platelets dispersed throughout an aramid polymer matrix and/or overcoat.
7. The VIG unit of claim 6 , wherein the platelets are approximately 1-10 nm thick and 35-300 nm in width.
8. A vacuum insulated glass (VIG) unit, comprising:
first and second spaced apart glass substrates with a gap provided therebetween;
an edge seal provided proximate a periphery of the VIG unit between the first and second glass substrates to form an hermetic seal and define an edge of the gap;
a plurality of spacers provided between the first and second glass substrates for spacing the first and second substrates apart and helping define the gap;
a first lamellar coating provided on at least one of the first and second glass substrates across an entire viewing area of the VIG unit,
a second lamellar coating, on the spacers or the other of the substrates on which the first lamellar coating is not provided, so that the spacers are between the first and second lamellar coatings,
wherein at least one of the first and second lamellar coatings is provided to impart closure stresses on the first and/or second glass substrate(s) proximate to the spacers to at least partially offset tensile stress, and
wherein the gap between the substrates is provided at a pressure less than atmospheric pressure.
9. The VIG unit of claim 8 , wherein the second lamellar coating comprises MoS 2 having a substantially crystal structure.
10. The VIG unit of claim 8 , wherein the second lamellar coating comprises graphite.
11. The VIG unit of claim 8 , wherein the second lamellar coating comprises PTFE.
12. The VIG unit of claim 8 , wherein the second lamellar coating comprises nano-clay and polymer.