Abstract: The only methods hitherto available for the production of mineral wool from materials such as basalt either utilize a stationary nozzle (blast drawing method) or external centrifuging whereby unsatisfactory yield and/or a not entirely satisfactory fiber quality, particularly with regard to a high content of unfiberized components, are achieved. By way of the invention, application of a fiberization method is suggested which, in spite of a high fluidity of the molten mineral material such as basalt, arrives at high quality fibers with a low bead proportion at good yield. This is made possible by selection of specific materials and their fiberization in specific conditions. Whereas fiberization of these fluid materials is carried out in external centrifuging at viscosities of a few tens of poises, fiberization by internal centrifuging at viscosities of more than 100 poises is required, according to the: invention, in order to achieve a mineral wool for insulation purposes with a low bead content.

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 producing mineral wool of a material which is highly fluid at an elevated liquidus temperature in particular above 1,200.degree. C., with a viscosity of less than 5,000 poises at liquidus temperature, is proposed wherein the molten mineral material, after having destroyed all nuclei of crystallization, is supplied into a spinner (1') the peripheral wall (19) of which comprises a multiplicity of orifices with small diameters wherethrough said molten material is centrifuged to form filaments which, in a given case, are subjected to a supplementary attenuating effect of a preferably hot gas flow flowing along said peripheral wall (19) of said spinner (1') and generated by a concentric annular external burner (13). If fiberization of such a material is effected in the traditional way, a great proportion of unfiberized particles in the product will result.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for controlling the manufacture of mineral fibers, in particular glass fibers, by use of a fiber-drawing process using internal centrifuging in a centrifuger. The peripheral strip is pierced by a large number of outlet orifices and the radiation emitted superficially by the peripheral strip is measured in order to determine the temperature of points of the peripheral strip and the vertical coordinate of each of the points measured.

Abstract: Glass fibers for insulation uses are produced by means of a centrifugal spinner which introduces glass streams into an annular attenuating blast adjacent the periphery of the spinner. An improved product quality and/or production rate as well as prolonged spinner life are obtained by selection and utilization of a novel combination of structural and operating parameters characterized in particular by a spinner diameter and peripheral speed substantially greater than conventionally employed.

Abstract: Glass fibers for insulation uses are produced by means of a centrifugal spinner which introduces glass streams into an annular attenuating blast adjacent the periphery of the spinner. An improved product quality and/or production rate as well as prolonged spinner life are obtained by selection and utilization of a novel combination of structural and operating parameters characterized in particular by a spinner diameter and peripheral speed substantially greater than conventionally employed.

Abstract: Glass fibers for insulation uses are produced by means of a centrifugal spinner which introduces glass streams into an annular attenuating blast adjacent the periphery of the spinner. An improved product quality and/or production rate as well as prolonged spinner life are obtained by selection and utilization of a novel combination of structural and operating parameters characterized in particular by a spinner diameter and peripheral speed substantially greater than conventionally employed.

Abstract: Fiber mats formed by attenuating molten streams of attenuable mineral material by subjecting the streams to the action of a hot attenuating gas blast. The gas blast induces gas from the surrounding atmosphere, and the combined blast and induced gas forming a fiber-carrying current. The current is directed toward a preforated fiber-collecting conveyor on which the fibers are deposited in the form of a mat and the gas of the current passes through the conveyor. Provision is made for withdrawing a peripheral portion of the fiber-carrying current at a point intermediate the zone of attenuation and the perforated fiber-collecting conveyor.

Abstract: The invention concerns the improvement of the fiber distribution in a web or mat, the attenuation of the fibers being effected by means of gas currents.The material delivered in the form of filaments is attenuated in a channel between two gas jets. At the outlet of the channel, the gas current carrying the fibers entrains the ambient air and passes through a guide apparatus containing two walls. The circulation of the air induced between the channel and the guide apparatus is modified by the interposition of baffles.The modification provides for improvement in the uniformity in the fiber web being made.

Abstract: The invention relates to the distribution on a receiving device of fibers carried by a gas current.To improve the distribution, the gas current carrying the fibers is subjected to the action of a gas layer which envelopes the current and of which the direction of flow in a plane tangent to the gas current differs from that of the gas current. The action of the gas layer results in an expansion of the current carrying the fibers.The invention is particularly useful where the fibers are received on a collecting device such as a foraminous conveyor belt, of large width.

Abstract: Glass fibers for insulation uses are produced by means of a centrifugal spinner which introduces glass streams into an annular attenuating blast adjacent the periperhy of the spinner. An improved product quality and/or production rate as well as prolonged spinner life are obtained by selection and utilization of a novel combination of structural and operating parameters characterized in particular by a spinner diameter and peripheral speed substantially greater than conventionally employed. The present technique further provides reduced turbulence in the receiving chamber and hence an improved distribution and orientation of the fibers on the collecting conveyor.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for forming fibers from attenuable materials, especially mineral materials such as glass, the disclosed technique including components providing for attenuation by toration, i.e., attenuation by delivering a stream of attenuable material in attenuable condition into the zone of interaction of a gaseous jet penetrating into a larger gaseous blast.

Abstract: Equipment is disclosed for gas blast attenuation of attenuable materials by the toration type of technique according to which a gaseous jet is directed transversely into a gaseous blast of larger cross section, thereby developing a zone of interaction of the jet and the blast into which a stream of the attenuable material is delivered. Each fiberizing center incorporates a plurality of components including means for generating the jet, means for generating the blast, and means for supplying the stream of attenuable material. In addition, the fiberizing center frequently also incorporates an additional structural element or means positioned along the path of the jet and influencing the jet flow.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for heat treatment of fibrous mats, especially mats formed of mineral fibers such as glass and carrying a heat hardenable binder material, such as a thermosetting resin. The method disclosed provides for continuous feed of the mat through a curing or treating oven having a plurality of heat treatment zones. In one form of the method, the heat treatment in at least one zone is effected by circulation of a heated gas, such as air, through the mat in said zone, and the mat is also subjected to heat treatment in a localized area lying within said zone by passage of a second heated gas through the mat, the second heated gas having a pressure higher than that in the surrounding portions of said zone.

Abstract: In the technique for fiberizing glass by the use of a centrifugal spinner delivering glass streams into an attenuating blast, a novel spinner construction is provided, and provision is also made for increasing the production, while also providing for the use of glass of lower cost, and at the same time, reducing environmental pollution. Glass compositions and spinner alloy compositions particularly suited for use in accordance with the invention, are also disclosed.

Abstract: In the technique for fiberizing glass by the use of a centrifugal spinner delivering glass streams into an attenuating blast, a novel spinner construction is provided, and provision is also made for increasing the production, while also providing for the use of glass of lower cost, and at the same time, reducing environmental pollution. Glass compositions and spinner alloy compositions particularly suited for use in accordance with the invention, are also disclosed.

Abstract: In the technique for fiberizing glass by the use of a centrifugal spinner delivering glass streams into an attenuating blast, a novel spinner construction is provided, and provision is also made for increasing the production, while also providing for the use of glass of lower cost, and at the same time, reducing environmental pollution. Glass compositions and spinner alloy compositions particularly suited for use in accordance with the invention, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed providing both for separation of the components of a toration fiberizing center, including separation of both the glass stream supply means and of the secondary or carrier jet from the blast, and at the same time further providing for stabilization of the feed of the glass into the system, notwithstanding the separation of the components. This is accomplished by shielding the jet flow from induced air at one side of the jet and introducing the glass stream into the influence of the induced air at the opposite side of the jet.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for heat treatment of fibrous mats, especially mats formed of mineral fibers such as glass and carrying a heat hardenable binder material, such as a thermosetting resin. The method and the equipment disclosed provide for continuous feed of the mat through a curing or treating oven having a plurality of heat treatment zones or areas. In one form of the method and equipment, the heat treatment in at least one zone is effected by circulation of a heated gas, such as air, through the mat in said zone, and the mat is also subjected to heat treatment in a localized area lying within said zone by passage of a second heated gas through the mat, the second heated gas having a pressure higher than that in the surrounding portions of said zone.

Abstract: Methods and equipment are disclosed for production of mineral fibers, by attenuation, involving the use of a substantial volume of gas, in which water is also employed at least in a fiber binder, the methods and equipment providing for recirculation of most of the gases, and preferably also of the water employed in the system. Both the gases and the water are purified and the pollutants are separated and are also treated to convert the pollutant constituents to a form not ecologically objectionable for disposal. The methods and equipment also minimize discharge of fluids and aural efflux from the plant. Methods and apparatus are also disclosed for controlling and stabilizing various operating conditions of the fiberization; such as the temperature and the pressure in the fiber forming section or chamber.