Owens Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.

Susan M Pierik

Eugene C Varrasso

David R Hartman

David V Stotler

Paul S Sanik

William C Brady

The invention relates to an in-line process for producing high-temperature stable glass. A sizing composition is advantageously used to reduce plasticizing between the resinous matrix and the glass fibers. The in-line process uses a melter or furnace apparatus, including a top charging and melting section and an intermediate flow regulator section having a baffle system improving the heat pattern across the glass flow, and a bushing having a tip plate for receiving molten glass from a furnace. The bushing has an enlarged size that allows drawing of a significantly increased number of glass fibers at one time. The fibers have essentially no catenary and may be wound to create a tightly wrapped package of glass fibers of uniform exterior diameter throughout their width. High-strength, high-silica fiber made according to the invention may be advantageously used in filament-winding, pultrusion and weaving processes.

Continuous in-line system for producing high temperature glass fiber materials

A glass-fiber bushing including a bottom tip-plate and side walls surrounding the bottom tip-plate forming a container for molten glass. The bottom tip-plate including a plurality of tips arranged to permit molten glass to flow there through to produce a multiplicity of individual molten glass streams from which glass fibers may be formed. The glass-fiber bushing includes at least one tip-plate thermocouple having a platinum tube housing, a pair of thermocouple wires transversing the tube housing and terminating in a weld junction. The tube housing, thermocouple wires and the weld are attached directly to the tip-plate such that the thermocouple junction is formed directly at the tip-plate surface.

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Shawnee Hills, OH, United States of America

Susan M Pierik