Method for dispersing glass fibers for the preparation of glass filter media

A method of making Beta fiber reinforced glass filter media which comprises:

• heat cleaning a batch of Beta Glass fibers to remove any starch type sizing from the surface thereof;
• mixing a small amount of a hydrophobic fumed silicon dioxide treated with a silane with a solution of hydrochloric acid;
• adding said surface cleaned Beta Glass fibers to said hydrochloric acid solution containing said hydrophobic fumed silicon dioxide treated with a silane thereby forming a slurry and conditioning said fibers so that they will be held apart thus preventing roping or tangling of said fibers;
• subjecting said slurry to a sonic probe for a period of about 6 minutes to disperse any clumps of Beta fibers into individual strands and to open the fibers to that they will become coated with said hydrophobic fumed silicon dioxide treated with a silane;
• adding other glass fibers to said slurry;
• mixing said added glass fibers with said Beta Glass fibers in said slurry;
• pouring said slurry mix into a hand sheet mold;
• permitting said solution to drain from said mold leaving behind said glass fiber mixture which forms a glass fiber filter, and then
• removing said filter from said mold.