Abstract: Mineral material, particularly of the basalt type, is fiberized by internal centrifuging in a spinner having a peripheral wall with a plurality of orifices. A heated gas flow attenuates into fibers the filament cones emanating from the orifices. To produce mineral wool with good fiber fineness and largely free of unfiberized particles, the length of the filament cones and the configuration of the heated gas flows generated around the spinner are adjusted so that the majority of the filament cones emanating from the spinner orifices intersects the isotherm corresponding to a viscosity of 100 poises to enter into a zone cooled down to a temperature corresponding to a viscosity of more than 100 poises. The configuration of the heated gas flow is produced by an annular external burner in conjunction with an annular external blower that produces jets of cool air. The cool air brings low-temperature isotherms in close vicinity to the peripheral wall of the spinner.

Abstract: A method for the formation of mineral fibers in which the material to be fibered is poured in the molten state onto the peripheral surface of the first of a series of centrifuging wheels rotating at high speed in order to be fibered there by centrifugal force. The fibers formed by the various centrifuging wheels are entrained in streams of gas emitted in the immediate vicinity of the said wheels in a direction essentially parallel with the axes of rotation of the wheels. At least one of these streams of gas is emitted at a temperature of between 250.degree. and 900.degree. C. and preferably between 300.degree. and 600.degree. C., and even more preferably around 500.degree. C.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of mineral fibers from a material melted in a cupola. To regularize the supply of material to the fiber-forming apparatus, the material emanating from the cupola and conveyed to the apparatus passes through a reserve.

Abstract: The present invention concerns glass compositions capable of being attenuated in the form of fibers.These glass fibers comprise the following oxides in the percentages by weight: SiO.sub.2 :37 to 48%; Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 :17 to 25%; CaO:23 to 33%; MgO:0.1 to 7%; Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 :0.1 to 3%; Na.sub.2 O:2 to 8%; K.sub.2 O:0.1 to 7%, the sum of the percentages of earthalkaline oxides (CaO and MgO) being less than or equal to 34%, and the sum of the alkaline oxides (Na.sub.2 O and K.sub.2 O) being greater than 5%.The invention is applicable to the manufacture of products subjected to elevated temperatures, for instance, products used for insulation purposes, even when such products may be subjected to a temperature as high as 700.degree. C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for the manufacture of fibers from attenuable materials, such as glass making materials, by centrifugation. In a process in which the attenuable material is directed onto the peripheral surface of a centrifugation wheel which is enveloped by a gas current produced by a blowing crown, the invention comprises the projecting onto the fibers of a liquid composition from a centrifugation element, the projection being carried out close to the wheel in the form of drops which penetrate and are atomized by the gas current. The apparatus of the invention includes a projection element rotating with the centrifugation wheel for centrifugal delivery of the drops of liquid composition. The invention provides a very uniform treatment of the fibers, particularly by means of liquid binder compositions.

Abstract: Fiberization of thermoplastic materials is effected by a technique employing an attenuating blast having a Coanda surface on the blast nozzle lip, the arrangement providing for delivery of a stream of molten material into the region of gaseous currents flowing over the Coanda surface into the blast. Provision is also made for employment of a secondary jet directed to flow over at least a part of the Coanda surface into the blast.