Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for the attenuation or advancing of strand material, such as glass strands. The apparatus includes a single belt and a plurality of wheels around which the belt is driven and guided. The strand is attenuated as it passes between the belt and one of the wheels. The wheel which, along with the belt, attenuates or advances the strand may have a plurality of pins or bars to form its exterior surface, which surface is then discontinuous. Alternatively, this wheel surface may be continuous. The driving force for the belt comes from another of the wheels, with the driving force being applied to the belt on the opposing surface of the belt from that which contacts the strand.

Abstract: A continuous fiber reinforced pultruded rod-like reinforcing element is disclosed. This rod-like element includes at least one groove and/or protrusion along its length, with the continuous reinforcing fibers in the protrusions or surrounding the grooves generally conforming to the pattern of the outer surface of the rod. Preferably, the protrusions and/or grooves form a generally helical pattern on the surface of the rod. The rods formed by the instant invention have utility in reinforcing such structures as concrete, mine roofs, plastics and the like. Also disclosed are methods and apparatus for producing these stock materials.

Abstract: A creel for unwinding forming packages of strand is described in which a plurality of vertically spaced flat shelves are mounted on a frame with rows of orifices provided on each of the shelves. The orifices are spaced apart on said shelves a sufficient distance from each other to permit a forming package to be placed over each orifice without touching an adjacent forming package. A sleeve is positioned in each orifice and constructed to permit strand to run through it without damaging the strand and a guide eye is positioned below each sleeve and free of the side of the shelf holding the sleeve to guide strand drawn through it to a point beyond the creel without touching the creel shelves.

Abstract: A flat bodied rethread clip is shown having a plurality of slots adapted to attach thereto running parallel strands. Risers are provided on both sides of the flat body aligned with each of a set of slots so that strands running in the slots will follow the riser into any guides or grooves used to maintain parallel strand spacing.

Abstract: Glass pellets for use in producing glass for the manufacture of glass fibers are described in which a significant portion of the pellets are made up of fiber glass cullet. The pellets of glass fiber batch contain quantities of fiber glass cullet from 5 percent by weight to 35 percent or more by weight. The glass fiber cullet employed is in the form of ground glass or short glass fibers, 0.0625 to 0.5 inch (0.158 to 1.27 centimeters).

Abstract: A method of improving the surface characteristics of a formed article of magnesium oxychloride or magnesium oxysulfate cement is shown in which molded articles of magnesium oxychloride or magnesium oxysulfate are treated with water at temperatures of 90.degree. F. to 212.degree. F. (32.2.degree. C. to 100.degree. C.) for periods of 1 to 30 minutes or longer to prevent the formed article from efflorescing.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for threading one of several generally parallel strands through an operation through which the strands travel. The apparatus is designed to thread a broken strand using the movement of strands adjacent to this strand. The apparatus is also designed to reduce the downtime for the adjacent strands which are employed to pull and guide the broken strand through the rethreading operation. The apparatus is designed to allow for strand guide stabilization through the rethreading operation to allow the strands and guide to pass through the system easily and without placement errors in strand threading positioning. The apparatus includes a means for holding the broken strand, a means for releasably maintaining an adjacent guide strand within the apparatus and a means for releasably grasping the moving pull strand.

Abstract: A method of preparing resin sheets reinforced by glass and carbon strands is described in which the glass strands are passed through a resin bath. The glass strands are passed through a die as they emerge from the bath to control their resin content and wound on a mandrel. The carbon strands are passed directly into the die and are wetted by the resin in the die and on the mandrel. The glass and carbon strands are laid on the mandrel with resin to provide a resin sheet containing 5 to 70 percent glass by weight and 60 to 5 percent carbon strand by weight.

Abstract: A glass composition suitable for use in manufacturing glass fibers is described which possesses good electrical properties. The glass is characterized by having a boron oxide content below normal glass fiber glass and increased alkaline earth metal oxides with small quantities of magnesium oxide being present. The glasses produced by the composition have acceptable viscosities in the glass fiber making range and exhibit good stability to devitrification. Opacity is not encountered with these glasses as would be expected.

Abstract: Glass fiber filament bundles such as cords for rubber reinforcement are impregnated and coated with a coating composition comprised of, in parts by weight on a dry solids basis:______________________________________ 10-50 neoprene latex 50-90 styrene-butadiene vinylpyridine latex 4-20 resorcinol formaldehyde resin 2-6 resorcinol 1-3 formaldehyde up to 25 wax up to 25 natural rubber ______________________________________Glass fiber cord, produced from strands and filaments, in accordance with the invention, provides an improved reinforcing member for elastomeric articles such as tires and particularly for radial tires. A method of coating the glass fibers and forming the cord from the individual filaments and strands is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of cutting glass fiber strands is disclosed wherein said strands are driven across the beam of an interruptable laser. The laser beam melts the strand at each pulse of the beam cutting the strand into short lengths. The cut strands can be immediately collected and packaged or can be further subjected to a drying procedure prior to packaging. The strands formed by this method have fused and comparitively even ends as opposed to the ragged uneven ends of mechanically chopped glass strands.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a fiber mat is disclosed. The attenuation rate of the attenuator or strand advancing apparatus is varied as the attenuator traverses across the mat formation surface such that a constant rate of attenuation of glass filaments from a bushing is realized. This results in more consistent diameter filaments being formed and thus results in the formation of a more uniform mat. The attenuator may also be employed to lay down mat from previously produced forming packages of strand material from any natural or synthetic fiber.

Abstract: A method of preparing magnesium oxychloride and/or oxysulfate cements is described which involves the control of temperature of the magnesium chloride and/or sulfate solutions and the magnesium oxide used to prepare the cements during mixing and the controlled addition of the requisite amounts of magnesium oxide, magnesium chloride and/or sulfate required to form the cements during the mixing procedure. In mixing the requisite oxides with the sulfate and/or chloride solutions used to produce the cement mixtures, the oxide is mixed and thoroughly blended with at least 80 percent of the requisite chloride and/or sulfate solution required to provide a homogeneous mixture.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for processing waste glass strands and/or fibrous filaments which are produced in the course of operating a glass fiber forming plant for subsequent reuse as batch ingredients for a glass fiber forming process. The method described involves controlled thermal treatment of the waste glass strands and/or filaments to produce particulate glass which can be recycled to a fiber glass forming furnace. The reprocessing of waste glass strands and/or filaments reduces substantially the raw material cost involved in feeding glass batch ingredients to a glass fiber forming operation. Apparatus for accomplishing the reprocessing of the waste glass filaments and/or strands in accordance with the method disclosed is also described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for cooling molten cones of glass drawn from a fiber glass manufacturing bushing for the purpose of removing heat from the cones of glass during formation. The heat removal means utilized involves flat, platelike fins or bars of metal connected to a common header through which heat transfer fluid is circulating. The platelike member has incorporated therein wick material on the interior, peripheral surfaces thereof. The wick contains a liquid therein which is vaporized rapidly during heat removal and condensed within the interior of the platelike members and redeposited on the wick for continuous circulation of fluid in the fin during operation. The wick material and the fluid associated therewith contained in the platelike member is sealed in the platelike member to prevent dissipation therefrom.

Abstract: An applicator is disclosed for applying binder and/or size to glass filaments. The applicator is designed to both apply the binder and/or size to the filaments and gather the filaments into a unified strand. Due to its unique design, the applicator directs the moving strand in a direction such that the air flowing downwardly with the filaments as they are formed expels binder and/or size from the filaments and the applicator recovers this material for recirculation. This is accomplished without the need to divert the air flowing downwardly with the filaments from its normal path and without the use of any external deflector shields or other means for diverting airflow.

Abstract: A glass fiber sizing composition comprising a phenolic epoxy resin; the reaction product of a partial ester of a polycarboxylic acid which contains one or more unesterified carboxyl groups with a compound containing more than one epoxy group; a glass fiber lubricant; sufficient emulsifiers to impart a homogeneous mixture; a saturated fatty triglyceride; a silane coupling agent and a major amount of water. Glass fibers sized in accordance with the invention exhibit excellent reinforcing characteristics.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing slubby strands in which a textile strand is passed either over a surface or through a slubbing tool. The surface, if employed, may include a plurality of fluid passages positioned therein. As the strand passes over the surface or through the slubbing tool, high pressure fluid is introduced onto the surface of and through the strand. The high pressure fluid passes through the strand. This passage of fluid through the strand causes the strand to twist and bulk along its length to form a slub which is rapidly removed from the working surface of the slubbing surface or tool as a consolidated slub positioned on the strand. When a surface is employed, the surface may be a moving surface and when the surface includes a plurality of fluid passages, the passages may be vented at a point below the surface. Various apparatus for carrying out the novel method are disclosed as is the novel strand produced thereby.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing slubby strands in which a textile strand is passed either over a surface or through a slubbing tool. The surface, if employed, may include a plurality of fluid passages positioned therein. As the strand passes over the surface or through the slubbing tool, high pressure fluid is introduced onto the surface of and through the strand. The high pressure fluid passes through the strand. This passage of fluid through the strand causes the strand to twist and bulk along its length to form a slub which is rapidly removed from the working surface of the slubbing surface or tool as a consolidated slub positioned on the strand. When a surface is employed, the surface may be a moving surface and when the surface includes a plurality of fluid passages, the passages may be vented at a point below the surface. Various apparatus for carrying out the novel method are disclosed as is the novel strand produced thereby.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing slubby strands in which a textile strand is passed either over a surface or through a slubbing tool. The surface, if employed, may include a plurality of fluid passages positioned therein. As the strand passes over the surface or through the slubbing tool, high pressure fluid is introduced onto the surface of and through the strand. The high pressure fluid passes through the strand. This passage of fluid through the strand causes the strand to twist and bulk along its length to form a slub which is rapidly removed from the working surface of the slubbing surface or tool as a consolidated slub positioned on the strand. When a surface is employed, the surface may be a moving surface and when the surface includes a plurality of fluid passages, the passages may be vented at a point below the surface. Various apparatus for carrying out the novel method are disclosed as is the novel strand produced thereby.