US Patent 8158543 Fining agents for silicate glasses

A fining agent for reducing the concentration of seeds or bubbles in a silicate glass. The fining agent includes at least one inorganic compound, such as a hydrate or a hydroxide that acts as a source of water. In one embodiment, the fining agent further includes at least one multivalent metal oxide and, optionally, an oxidizer. A fusion formable and ion exchangeable silicate glass having a seed concentration of less than about 1 seed/cm3 is also provided. Methods of reducing the seed concentration of a silicate glass, and a method of making a silicate glass having a seed concentration of less than about 1 seed/cm3 are also described.