Akzo N.v.

Karlheinz Hillermeider

Hans G Zengel

Walter Brodowski

Heinz Beck

Arno Wegerhoff

Ernst Seeberger

Gerhard Steenken

Water-containing water glass fibers are disclosed, substantially free from non-alkaline compounds and having a water content of from about 15 to 30% by weight, a tear strength of from about 5 to 30 cN/tex, a ratio of alkaline oxide to silicon dioxide of from about 1:3 to 1:1.9, an amorphous structure and a density of from about 2 g/cm.sub.3 to 2.5 g/cm.sup.3. The fibers are preferably cut into lengths of from 1 to 40 mm. They may be used for subsequent production of silica fibers, a technique more advantageous than producing the latter from a melt containing SiO.sub.2 or by acid-leaching of glass fibers. The silica fibers are useful for producing wet webs, filter linings and reinforcing material.

Water-containing water glass fibers

Process for the production of silica fibers of the type in which alkali water glass is dry spun into water-containing alkali silicate fibers which are then contacted with solutions containing hydrogen ions for transforming into silica fibers, the improvement being dry-spinning glass free from non-alkaline compounds having a molar ratio of alkaline oxide to silic dry dioxide of from about 1:3 to 1:1.9 and a viscosity of about 10-700 Pa measured at 30.degree. C., at 10.degree.-50.degree. C. in a drying funnel of a temperature of more than 100.degree. C., at a discharge velocity of minimum 5 m/min.

Method for making silica fibers

Process for the production of water containing water glass fibers of the type in which alkali water glass is dry spun into water containing fibers, the improvement being dry-spinning water glass free from non-alkaline compounds having a molar ratio of alkaline oxide to silicon dioxide of from about 1:3 to 1:1.9 and a viscosity of about 10-700 Pa measured at 30.degree. C., at 10.degree.-50.degree. C. in a drying funnel of a temperature of more than 100.degree. C., at a discharge velocity of minimum 5m/min.

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Wuppertal, Germany

Karlheinz Hillermeider