Bushing and method for forming glass fibers
AssigneeOwens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation
InventorsDarryl J. Costin, Jay W. Hinze
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A bushing for use in the drawing of glass filaments to form glass fibers formed of a silicon-based ceramic having a plurality of openings extending therethrough and hollow tip elements formed of a precious metal extending through the openings in the bushing. In the preferred practice of the invention, the hollow tip element overlays a ceramic spacer element which serves to prevent reaction of the precious metal with the silicon-based ceramic.
Claims13
Apparatus for use in drawing glass filaments comprising:
- (a) a bushing adapted to contain molten glass, said bushing being formed of a silicon-based ceramic selected from the group consisting of SiC, Si.sub.3 N.sub.4, Si.sub.2 ON.sub.2, sialons and their composites, and having a plurality of openings extending through a wall thereof;
- (b) each of said openings having a hollow ceramic spacer element extending therethrough;
- and
- (c) hollow tip elements each extending through a respective one of the hollow spacer elements for passage of glass therethrough from which a fiber can be drawn, said tip elements being formed of a precious metal.
A method of forming glass filaments to afford long trouble free service comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing molten glass within a bushing formed of a silicon-based ceramic selected from the group consisting of SiC, Si.sub.3 N.sub.4, Si.sub.2 ON.sub.2, sialons and their composites, and having a plurality of openings extending through a wall thereof;
- each of said openings having a hollow ceramic spacer element extending therethrough;
- and hollow tip elements each extending through a respective one of the hollow spacer elements for passage of glass therethrough from which a fiber can be drawn, said tip elements being formed of a precious metal,
- (b) passing the molten glass through the hollow tip elements;
- and
- (c) attenuating the glass streams flowing through the tip elements to form glass filaments.
Apparatus for use in drawing glass filaments comprising
- (a) a silicon based ceramic bushing adapted to contain molten glass and having an opening extending through a wall thereof,
- (b) a hollow precious metal tip element extending through said opening for passage of glass therethrough from which a fiber can be formed, and
- (c) ceramic means formed of chromia disposed intermediate said bushing and tip element for substantially preventing reaction between said ceramic bushing and said tip element.
The process for producing a glass fiber to afford long trouble free service comprising the steps of:
- (i) providing a molten fiberizable glass within a glass feeder comprised of:
- (a) a silicon based ceramic bushing adapted to contain molten glass and having an opening extending through a wall thereof,
- (b) a hollow precious metal tip element extending through said opening for passage of glass therethrough form which a fiber can be formed, and
- (c) chromium oxide means disposed intermediate said bushing and tip element for substantially preventing reaction between said ceramic bushing and said tip element,
- (ii) passing the molten glass through said tip element, and
- (iii) attenuating the glass flowing through the tip element to form a glass fiber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.