Abstract: The present invention involves an electrical resistance heated bushing for melting inorganic materials, particularly glass, and for exuding molten material through a plurality of orifices in the bushing to form fibers suitable for coating with metal in conventional ways. The bushing of the present invention has an output capacity of almost 300% that of typical prior art bushings used for this purpose. Furthermore, the bushing of the present invention has increased operating efficiency substantially. The average running time before a breakout occurs has been extended 5 to 10 fold.

Abstract: Improved corrosion resistant cooling tube support members are provided for fiberizing bushings used to make fibers from molten inorganic material such as glass. The support members allow an operator to replace defective cooling tubes relatively easily without cooling down the bushing and without requiring assistance from a second operator.

Abstract: Continuous inorganic fibers such as glass fibers are made by drawing molten material from orifices in the bottom of a refractory bushing. Occasionally during operation one or more tips will become clogged by unmelted particles in the molten material. These clogged tips will no longer produce a continuous fiber, but instead drip causing defects and breakouts which must be corrected. In the past, several methods have been tried to plug off these clogged tips, but none have been successful. The present invention involves a method of plugging a clogged tip while the bushing is at an elevated temperature using a small refractory plug. The present invention permits the bushing to be operated for its normal life thus producing a significant improvement in operating costs.