Abstract: The invention relates to a method and facility for manufacturing a cross-linked fiberglass material, in which melted glass is produced in a melting furnace heated via combustion of a fuel with an oxygen-rich oxidant. The melted glass is converted into glass filaments, the filaments are bonded, a sheet is made from the bonded filaments, and the sheet is then cross-linked. The fumes from the melting furnace are used to preheat a combustion reagent in two steps: a first step in which air is heated via heat exchange with the fumes, and a second step in which the combustion reagent is preheated via heat exchange with the hot air. The air is then used in the cross-linking step of the method for converting the melted glass into a fiberglass material.

Abstract: An R-glass composition including SiO2 in an amount from 59.0 to 64.5% by weight, Al2O3 in an amount from 14.5 to 20.5% by weight, CaO in an amount from 11.0 to 16.0% by weight, MgO in an amount from 5.5 to 11.5% by weight, Na2O in N an amount from 0.0 to 4.0% by weight, TiO2 in an amount from 0.0 to 2.0% by weight, Fe2O3 in an amount from 0.0 to 1.0% by weight, B2O3 in an amount from 0.0 to about 3.0% by weight, K2O, Fe2O3, ZrO2, and Fluorine, each of which is present in an amount from 0.0 to about 1.0% by weight, and SrO and ZnO, each of which is present in an amount from 0.0 to about 2.0% by weight. In exemplary embodiments, the glass composition does not contain lithium or boron.

Abstract: Glass batch compositions for the formation of high-modulus, and high-strength glass fibers as well as fibers suitable for use as textile and reinforcements are disclosed. Fibers formed of the composition are especially suitable for use in high-strength, low-weight applications such as windmill blades and high strength and modulus applications where strength and stiffness are required in the composite. The glass composition is up to about 70.5 weight % SiO2, about 24.5 weight % Al2O3, about 22 weight % alkaline earth oxides and may include small amounts of alkali metal oxides and ZrO2. Additionally, glass fibers formed from the inventive composition are non-corrosive or substantially non-corrosive in nature. Due to the non-corrosive nature of the glass fibers, glass fibers made with the inventive composition may be used in applications where the glass fibers or a composite formed from the glass fibers are in contact with a corrosive substance.

Abstract: A glass composition useful in preparing fiberglass comprises 12 to 25 weight % CaO; 12 to 16 weight % Al2O3; 52 to 62 weight % SiO2; 0.05 to 0.8 Fe2O3; and greater than 2 up to about 8 weight % alkali metal oxide.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to uniformly disperse fibrous material such as short glass fibers so as to be distributed on a collection conveyor, without using compressed air for dispersion of the fibrous material. The present invention provides a method for collecting fibrous material, wherein the fibrous material fiberized by a spinner of a fiberizing unit is dispersed by a hollow bucket disposed just under the spinner, so as to be collected on a collection conveyor disposed below the hollow bucket, comprising: forming said hollow bucket by connecting a blasting section having an oval opening at its lower end, with a waistline section as a lower end of a hopper section having a circular shape in cross section, and deforming the inner surface of the blasting section toward said oval opening, thereby dispersing the fibrous material dropped in the hollow bucket in a width direction of the collection conveyor from the blasting section, so as to be collected on the collection conveyor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a glass yarn capable of being obtained by a method consisting of mechanically drawing molten glass threads flowing from orifices disposed at the base of a die, of which the chemical composition is substantially free from boron oxide and comprises the following constituents within the limits defined hereinafter expressed in percentages by weight: SiO2 40 to 50 Al2O3 18 to 28 CaO 4 to 15 MgO 0 to 6 Na2O 10 to 14 Na2O + K2O + Li2O 13 to 20 It also relates to composites containing such yarns.

Abstract: A method of forming fibers from molten mineral material is provided. The method comprising the steps of: rotating a spinner having an orificed peripheral wall, the orificed peripheral wall having a top row of orifices, introducing molten mineral material to the spinner to create a fan of primary glass fibers, creating an annular combustion flow of heated gas and directing the annular combustion flow of heated gas substantially through the primary fibers, creating an annular flow of attenuating air with an annular blower, the annular flow of attenuating air being sufficient to attenuate the primary fibers into secondary fibers, directing the annular combustion flow of heated gas and the annular flow of attenuating air so that they are radially spaced apart at the level of the top row of orifices, and directing the annular combustion flow of heated gas and the annular flow of attenuating air so that they are brought together at a position below the top row of orifices.

Abstract: Tubular pipe insulation is made from a glass fiber mat produced utilizing a rotary glass fiberization process. A spinner disc is rotated to centrifuge molten glass through fiberization holes in an annular sidewall of the spinner disc and form primary glass fibers. The primary glass fibers are attenuated and formed into a veil where the fibers are dispersed to reduce in length the fiber networks formed from the fibers. Binder is applied to the fibers and the fibers are collected into a mat that, when pulled apart by longitudinally directed, opposing forces, separates across the width of the mat into two mat sections having feathered edges with substantially no fibrous stringers extending beyond the feathered edges for a distance greater than about four inches. The leading mat section is then wound about a mandrel and the binder in the mat is cured to form the pipe insulation.

Abstract: Device intended for an installation for forming fibrous felts, the fibers being formed from a material that can be attenuated by internal centrifugation and by attenuation by means of a gas stream, the flow of fibers being in the form of a tubular veil, the device including air blowing means that expel air tangentially to the tubular veil so as to impress a rotational movement on the veil, wherein the blowing means deliver air in a direction perpendicular to the main direction of the flow of the tubular veil.

Abstract: Provided is a mineral wool that includes recycled material. The mineral wool is characterized by an acid to base ratio within a specified range. Also provided is a method of manufacturing the mineral wool that includes selection of post-consumer or post-industrial recyclable materials. Application of the mineral wool to products such as an acoustical ceiling panel is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to glass powder, especially a biologically active glass powder, which includes a plurality of glass particles and which is characterized by the following features: the glass particles are made up by >90% of non-spherical particles; the geometry of the individual non-spherical particle is characterized by a ratio of length to diameter of 1.1 to 105.

Abstract: A method of forming high strength glass fibers in a refractory lined glass melter is disclosed. The refractory lined melter is suited to the batch compositions disclosed for the formation high modulus, and high-strength glass fibers. The glass composition for use in the method of the present invention is up to about 70.5 Weight % SiO2, 24.5 weight % Al2O3, 22 weight % alkaline earth oxides and may include small amounts of alkali metal oxides and ZrO2. Oxide based refractories included alumina, chromic oxide, silica, alumina-silica, zircon, zirconia-alumina-silica and combinations thereof. By using oxide based refractory lined furnaces the cost of production of glass fibers is substantially reduced in comparison with the cost of fibers using a platinum lined melting furnace. Fibers formed by the present invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: Incinerator ashes, which is obtained after treating municipal solid waste, incinerator ashes or its plasma vitrified slag is made into mineral fibers. Cullet is added during manufacturing the mineral fibers for conditioning. The mineral fibers thus obtained have a good strength and could raise value of recycled product. In addition, it could reduce impact of the incinerator ashes to the environment and environmental protection is achieved.

Abstract: A process for forming mineral fibers, in which at least one stream of vitrifiable material in the molten state is subjected to action of an attenuating gas flow in an attenuation zone. The gas flow in the attenuation zone is in the form of a vortex. Such a process may find application to the manufacture of fibrous products.

Abstract: Molten glass is formed from high-temperature glass batch by feeding the glass batch to a melt chamber and heating the glass batch in the melt chamber using one or more submerged combustion burners to melt the glass batch and form molten glass. The molten glass can be removed from the melt chamber and fiberized.

Abstract: A glass composition improves the bio-solubility (solubility to physiological salt water), and is suitable for manufacturing inorganic fiber and a molded product of such inorganic fiber. The glass composition to be used for manufacturing inorganic fiber is characterized by containing SiO2 by 52 to 72 wt %, Al2O3 by less than 3 wt %, MgO by 0 to 7 wt %, CaO by 7.5 to 9.5 wt %, B2O3 by 0 to 12 wt, BaO by 0 to 4 wt %, SrO by 0 to 3.5 wt %, Na2O by 10 to 20.5 wt %, K2O by 0.5 to 4.0 wt % and P2O5 by 0 to 5 wt %. The raw material of the glass composition contains cathode ray tube glass and/or liquid crystal glass by 0 to 50 wt %.

Abstract: Methods for recovering and recycling helium and unreacted chlorine from a process for manufacturing optical fiber are disclosed. Helium-rich and chlorine-rich gas streams are recovered from the consolidation furnace and separated. The helium-rich stream is dried and blended with make-up helium and the chlorine-rich stream is purified and blended with make-up chlorine so that each may be reused in the optical fiber production process.

Abstract: In a process for pulverizing and granulating melts, especially oxidic slag, glass, or thermoplastic melts, in which the melts are heated with burner (6) in an antechamber (5) and ejected as a shroud surrounding a propellant stream into a granulating chamber (11), hot combustion gases from the antechamber (5) are mixed with the propellant stream.

Abstract: A forming bucket for use in the preparation of gas attenuated fiber insulation products includes a tubular member having a fiber inlet and a fiber outlet. The tubular member has a conical portion disposed between the fiber inlet and the fiber outlet. The conical portion has a smooth curvilinear surface for minimizing turbulence in a fiber stream flowing through the forming bucket during the gas attenuation process.

Abstract: A combustion fuel mixture is provided for heating a fiberizer spinner for the production of glass fiber. In a first embodiment, oxygen enriched air is added to natural gas to form the combustion fuel mixture. In a second embodiment, pure oxygen is mixed with natural gas to form the combustion fuel mixture. Combustion of the combustion fuel mixture reduces emissions, increases efficiency of glass fiber production and reduces the amount of natural gas required to heat the fiberizer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to reinforcing glass yarns, the composition of which comprises the following constituents within the limits defined hereinbelow, expressed in percentages by weight:______________________________________ SiO.sub.2 58 to 62% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 10 to 16% CaO more than 18% MgO more than 1.5% CaO + MgO less than 28% Na.sub.2 O + K.sub.2 O + Li.sub.2 O less than 2% TiO.sub.2 less than 1.5% Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 less than 0.5% B.sub.2 O.sub.3 less than 2% F.sub.2 less than 2% ______________________________________this composition furthermore comprising less than 1% of other constituent(s) and comprising more than 0.5% of at least one of the three components F.sub.2, B.sub.2 O.sub.3 and Li.sub.2 O.These yarns have a composition providing an excellent compromise between its cost and its fiberizability.

Abstract: The glass compositions of the present invention contain at least 2.0 wt % Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 to give resulting glass fiber an acceptable chemical durability for product performance, but no more than 3.0 wt % to ensure the fiber maintains a relatively high biosolubility. The compositions further include relatively high amount of Na.sub.2 O+K.sub.2 O+MgO+CaO, which tends to increase fiber biosolubility and allows for the use of reduced amounts of B.sub.2 O.sub.3 in the composition. The glass compositions have KI values that generally equal or exceed a KI value of 40 and are suitable for rotary processing. The compositions have liquidus temperatures below about 1800.degree. F. and viscosities above 300 Poise at the liquidus temperature. For higher B.sub.2 O.sub.3 compositions the liquidus temperatures are below 1650.degree. F., and the viscosities are above 1,000 Poises at the liquidus temperatures.

Abstract: The production and physiological dissolution rate of mineral wool formed of MMV fibers containing 35-66% SiO.sub.2, up to 10% A1.sub.2 O.sub.3, 10-45% CaO, 2-30% MgO, up to 10% FeO, 0-7% Na.sub.2 O+K.sub.2 O and 0-10% TiO.sub.2 is improved by including both P.sub.2 O.sub.5 and B.sub.2 O.sub.3 in the composition.

Abstract: A filter composite comprising a first layer of glass fibers having random orientation, the layer being porous to gas flow therethrough; a porous mat of sufficient stiffness as to support the glass fiber layer during use as a filter, the mat consisting of compacted glass fibers, and; an additional porous layer carried by the mat to block escape of glass fibers or particles from the filter composite during gas flow therethrough. The first layer fibers have diameters between about 0.000035 and 0.00015 inch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing fibrous includes establishing a flow of fibrous material, positioning at least one flow distributor in a position to direct at least one gaseous flow into contact with the flow of fibrous material to distribute the fibrous material, and directing an intermittent flow of gas from the distributor, where the flow of gas increases and decreases linearly during the flow cycles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing fibrous material includes establishing a flow of fibrous material, positioning at least two flow distributors in a position to direct a gaseous flow into contact with the flow of fibrous material, such as a flow of glass fibers, each flow distributor having an outer surface having one or more openings for the emission of gas, an inner surface having one or more orifices for the emission of gas, and a pressurized source of gas in contact with the inner surface, the inner surface being moveable with respect to the outer surface to intermittently align some of the openings with some of the orifices, thereby enabling gas from the pressurized source of gas to be emitted through the inner and outer surfaces and into contact with the flow of fibrous material to distribute the fibrous material, and moving one of the surfaces relative to the other of the surfaces to control the emission of gas from the flow distributor.

Abstract: A filter composite comprising a first layer of glass fibers having random orientation, the layer being porous to gas flow therethrough; a porous mat of sufficient stiffness as to support the glass fiber layer during use as a filter, the mat consisting of compacted glass fibers, and; an additional porous layer carried by the mat to block escape of glass fibers or particles from the filter composite during gas flow therethrough.

Abstract: A fiber glass air filtration media comprises a blanket of glass fibers with about 25% to 35% by weight of the glass fibers being fine glass fibers having an average diameter of less than 3.5 microns and about 65% to 75% by weight of the glass fibers being coarse glass fibers having an average diameter of more than 3.5 microns. The fine and coarse glass fibers are randomly intermingled throughout the blanket. The blanket is formed by producing the fine glass fibers on a first set of fiber generators and the coarse glass fibers on a second set of fiber generators. The fiber generators are laterally aligned across the width of and direct gaseous streams of the glass fibers at a moving collection surface where the blanket is formed. The fiber generators of the first set alternate with the fiber generators of the second set and the glass fibers produced by the two sets of fiber generators are mixed together before being deposited on the collection surface.

Abstract: The objective is to provide a process and an apparatus for the continuous production of mineral wool nonwovens, by means of which a stable flow pattern is created in the chute, thus facilitating a clearly defined, homogeneous layer of deposited mineral wool.According to the invention, at least one backflow region (24, 25) is generated in the chute (9) outside the fibre flow (23), which backflow region (24, 25) is sufficient for such a large-volume backflow with such a low mean velocity that appreciable upward fibre transport is avoided. In this connection, a portion (32) of the process air entrained with the fibre flow is deflected upward in the backflow, and another portion (34) of the process air is extracted.