Abstract: Boron-free glass fibers suitable for textile and reinforcements are described. The glass fibers have compositions consisting essentially of SiO.sub.2, CaO, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, and MgO. In a preferred embodiment, the glass contains essentially no fluorine, sulfate, or titania These glass fiber compositions advantageously have broad or large values for delta T (i.e., the difference between the log 3 or forming temperature--the temperature at which the glass has a viscosity of approximately 1000 poise--and the liquidus temperature), e.g., a delta T of at least about 125.degree. F. (52.degree. C.), more preferably of at least about 150.degree. F. (66.degree. C.).

Abstract: Glass fibers having suitable properties for reinforcing electrical laminates have a defined viscosity-liquidus relationship, a low coefficient of thermal expansion, a high elastic modulus, and a low dielectric constant.

Abstract: A process where calcium borates are precipitated from an aqueous solution of ulexite is disclosed. The ulexite is dissolved in hydrochloric acid. Calcium chloride then is added to the acid solution and then neutralized to precipitate the calcium borates. The calcium borates so produced are useful as glass forming, batch ingredients that can be compacted into agglomerates and preheated.

Abstract: A method of precipitating calcium borates from an aqueous mixture of calcium chloride and borax is disclosed. The yield of calcium borate precipitates can be increased by increasing the concentration of borax. Preferably, an increase in the calcium concentration also is employed. In general, it was found that properties of compacted glass batch produced from these calcium borates compare favorably with those compacted from standard glass batches.