Abstract: Sizing composition for glass fibers, method of making same, method of making sized glass fibers and sized glass fibers are provided to have improved sized glass fibers for use in thermosetting molding compounds. The improved sized glass fibers are produced with improved processability and have good handling characteristics and give improved properties to thermosetting molding compounds.The sizing composition is an aqueous sizing composition having water soluble or dispersible, liquid epoxy resin, melamine formaldehyde condensate, polyamide resin and thermoplastic plasticizing agent, and one or more silane coupling agents.The method of preparing the sizing composition involves adding the melamine formaldehyde condensate and polyamide resin before the addition of or in the presence of the epoxy resin.The sized glass fibers are in contact with dried residue of the epoxy resin, melamine formaldehyde-polyamide reaction product, thermoplastic plasticizing agent and one or more silane coupling agents.

Abstract: A soft polymeric clad glass fiber waveguide with an easy to handle, low-loss end termination is disclosed. Each end termination is formed with a pair of telescopically assembled plastic sleeves. The inner sleeve is heat bondable to the glass core and has a refractive index lower than the glass core. It replaces an end portion of the soft rubbery polymeric cladding. The outer sleeve is heat shrinkable and during the termination procedure functions to compress, center and confine the inner sleeve. After termination, it functions to stiffen the fiber end and strain relieve the junction between the soft polymeric cladding and the stiffer inner sleeve. A method for making such a waveguide termination is disclosed. Also disclosed is an environmentally sealed optical waveguide of related construction.

Abstract: In the manufacture of sheet glass by drawing a ribbon of glass upwardly from a molten glass bath via a meniscus located at the glass surface in the drawing zone, a pool of molten material is contained in the bath beneath the drawing zone by a refractory member and the molten material pool is thermally conditioned to maintain a predetermined temperature profile in at least part of the drawing zone.