Abstract: The present invention concerns a glass fibre manufacturing plant comprising a forehearth forming a passage for conveying molten glass and defined by a first and second opposite longitudinal walls, wherein each longitudinal wall is made of a refractory masonry comprising a cavity of width, Wc, and height, H1c, formed by a floor defined by a base wall, by lateral walls defined by two spacer bricks and by a ceiling defined by a lintel resting on each of the two spacer bricks, and further comprising a support block (20) comprising a hot cuboid portion of width, w, and height, h, wherein w<Wc, and h<H1c, said hot cuboid portion being reversibly inserted in the cavity, thus defining a gap surrounding the hot cuboid portion of the support block when positioned in the cavity, said gap being filled with a resilient material (29), said forehearth being characterized in that, the masonry comprises a spacing element hindering the thermal expansion of the two spacer bricks, such that the distance, Wc, between said t

Abstract: The present invention concerns a two-part sizing composition comprising: (A) A precursor comprising: (a) An aminosilane (e.g. A1100) and (b) a polymer or copolymer containing carboxylic acid and/or anhydride, both having a functionality, F?3, and (B) A binder comprising a multi-functional epoxy resin of functionality, F?3. Glass fibres sized with the reaction product of the above composition yield a higher resistance to hydrolysis of polymeric matrix composite materials reinforced with such fibres. The sizing composition of the present invention is particularly advantageous for use with polyester resins, such as PET.

Abstract: A bushing assembly is provided including terminal ears coupled to opposed end walls of the bushing assembly. Each of the terminal ears includes an electrically conductive plate with a first terminal edge (1D) coupled to a bushing first end wall, and extending away from the first end wall to a second, free terminal edge (1A) and having a curved geometry. The curvature, 1/(2R), at any point of the curved second end of the slot is less than the reciprocal, 1/ Wo, of the smallest gap width, Wo, of both slot first open end, WA, and elongated portion, WB, where R is defined as the radius at any point of the curved second end.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a bushing assembly comprising: (a) a liquid glass feeding unit arranged upstream of and in fluid communication with, (b) a first and second tip plate assemblies (1A, 1B) extending along a longitudinal direction, arranged side by side, and each surrounded by side walls and end walls and, the first and second tip plate assemblies being separated from one another by a stiffening rib structure (21) extending along said longitudinal direction, characterized in that, the feeding unit comprises a glass distribution manifold (2), which defines two separate fluid communication paths to the first and second tip plate assemblies (1A, 1B), and in that, the stiffening rib structure (21) forms an integral part of the floor of the manifold (2).

Abstract: The present invention concerns a bushing assembly comprising terminal ears (1) coupled to opposed end walls (2) of the bushing assembly, for heating the bushing tip plate and walls, each of said terminal ears comprising: (a) an electrically conductive plate, said conductive plate comprising at least a first portion (1A) extending along a longitudinal 1D axis (X1) from a first terminal edge (1D) substantially normal to said longitudinal axis (X1) 1B and coupled to a bushing end wall (2), and further comprising a second, free terminal edge (1C) connectable to a source of power, and (b) at least one elongated reinforcing member (1B) coupled to said at least first portion (1A) of said plate to increase the bending moment of the latter, characterized in that, said at least one elongated reinforcing member (1B) extends from, or adjacent to the plate first terminal edge (1D) along a direction non parallel to said longitudinal axis (X1).

Abstract: The present invention concerns glass fiber composition comprising the following oxides: SiO2: 57.5-59.5 wt. % Al2O3: 17.0-20.0 wt. % CaO: 11.0-13.5 wt. % MgO: 8.5-12.5 wt. % wherein the sum of Na2O, K2O, and TiO2 is at least 0.1 wt. % and Li2O?2.0 wt. %, all amounts being expressed in weight % with respect to the total weight of the composition. It also concerns composite materials reinforced with such fibers, used in applications such as wind mill blades, pressure vessels, components in the automotive, machinery, aerospace applications and such products produced therewith, and wherein the temperature difference, ?T, defined as the difference between the temperature, T3, at which the composition has a viscosity of 103 Poise and the liquidus temperature, Tliq, is at least 50° C.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a tip plate module for use in a bushing assembly for the production of glass fibers, said tip plate module comprising side walls surrounding at least a portion of the perimeter of a tip plate (11) forming the floor of the module, said tip plate forming a convex polygon, characterized in that, said polygonal tip plate comprises at least five edges (N?5), preferably at least six edges (N?6), more preferably it comprises six edges (N=6). The present invention also concerns a bushing assembly comprising at least one such tip plate module.

Abstract: A glass fiber of quaternary composition including SiO2, Al2O3, CaO, and MgO, each present in an amount of at least 5 wt. %, and having less than 3.3 wt. % B2O3, and less than 2.0 wt. % fluorine, wherein: 22.0<MgO+CaO=<35.0 wt %, and 27.0<MgO+Al2O3=<44.0 wt %. all amounts being expressed in weight % with respect to the total weight of the composition. Also disclosed is a method of making composite materials reinforced with such fibers, and their use in applications such as windmill blades, pressure vessels, components in the automotive, machinery, aerospace applications, and such products produced therewith.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a bushing assembly comprising: (a) a liquid glass feeding unit arranged upstream of and in fluid communication with, (b) a first and second tip plate assemblies (1A, 1B) extending along a longitudinal direction, arranged side by side, and each surrounded by side walls and end walls and, the first and second tip plate assemblies being separated from one another by a stiffening rib structure (21) extending along said longitudinal direction, characterized in that, the feeding unit comprises a glass distribution manifold (2), which defines two separate fluid communication paths to the first and second tip plate assemblies (1A, 1B), and in that, the stiffening rib structure (21) forms an integral part of the floor of the manifold (2).

Abstract: The present invention concerns a two-part sizing composition comprising: (A) A precursor comprising: (a) An aminosilane (e.g. A1100) and (b) a polymer or copolymer containing carboxylic acid and/or anhydride, both having a functionality, F?3, and (B) A binder comprising a multi-functional epoxy resin of functionality, F?3. Glass fibres sized with the reaction product of the above composition yield a higher resistance to hydrolysis of polymeric matrix composite materials reinforced with such fibres. The sizing composition of the present invention is particularly advantageous for use with polyester resins, such as PET.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aqueous sizing composition for reinforcing charges, preferably glass fibers, comprising a silane coupling agent, an epoxy film forming polymer comprising 2-8 reactive epoxy groups per chain and compatible with thermoplastic polyester matrix resin selected from PET and PBT, and a hypophosphite in an amount of 5 to 30 w % of the composition, preferably 7 to 25 w %, more preferably 10 to 20 w % and most preferably 12 to 18 w % of the composition. A thermoplastic polyester resin reinforced with glass fibers coated with a sizing composition of the invention shows improved resistance to staining and improved tensile elongation at break. The sizing composition further improves processability of the sized fibres.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of reinforcing a substance or an object with continuous filaments comprising the steps of (a) supplying a fiber strand from a source of fiber strands, (b) passing said fiber strand horizontally through a passageway (21), (c) subjecting said fiber strand to a fluid such as air flow, within a channel (22) of rectilinear shape having an oblong cross-section, at an angle (?) substantially perpendicular with respect to the moving direction of the filaments so as to separate said fiber strand into a plurality of smaller strands or individual filaments, and then (d) pulling said separated strands and/or individual filaments horizontally through a divergent zone (23), wherein the area of its exit end (232) is larger than the one of its entrance end (231) and has an oblong cross-section, so as to spread said strands and/or filaments along its diverging wall in a plane.

Abstract: A glass fibre of quaternary composition including SiO2, AI2O3, CaO, and MgO, each present in an amount of at least 5 wt. %, and having less than 3.3 wt. % B2O3, and less than 2.0 wt. % fluorine, characterized by: 22.0<MgO+CaO?35.0 wt %, and 27.0<MgO+AI2O3?44.0 wt %. all amounts being expressed in weight % with respect to the total weight of the composition. Also disclosed is a method of making composite materials reinforced with such fibres, and their use in applications such as windmill blades, pressure vessels, components in the automotive, machinery, aerospace applications and such products produced therewith.

Abstract: The present invention provides an impregnation system suitable for impregnating filaments continuously with an impregnating substance, said system may comprise an impregnation assembly comprising (a) at least one axial passageway for the filaments having an entrance end and an exit end and (b) at least one passageway for the impregnating substance having at least one inlet for the impregnating substance and at least two outlets for the impregnating substance leading into the passageway for the filaments via the outlets for the impregnating substance, wherein the passageway for the filaments has an oblong cross-section at the outlet point for the impregnating substance, and the at least two outlets for the impregnating substance have an oblong cross-section, and are disposed essentially opposite to each other, at the opposite widths of the passageway for the filaments.