Inorganic fiber composition
OwnerLeonard E. Olds, William H. Kielmeyerinventors
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Abstract
Inorganic fibers which have a silicon extraction of greater than about 0.02 wt % Si/day in physiological saline solutions. The fiber contains SiO.sub.2, MgO, CaO, and at least one of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, ZrO.sub.2, TiO.sub.2, B.sub.2 O.sub.3, iron oxides, or mixtures thereof. Also disclosed are inorganic fibers which have diameters of less than 3.5 microns and which pass the ASTM E-119 two hour fire test when processed into a fiber blanket having a bulk density in the range of about 1.5 to 3 pcf.
Claims28
A process for decomposing a silica-containing fiber comprising the steps of:
- 1. providing an inorganic fiber prepared from a composition consisting essentially of:
- (a) 0-6 wt % of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 ;
- (b) 50-70 wt % SiO.sub.2 ;
- (c) 0-30 wt % MgO;
- and
- (d) the remainder consisting essentially of CaO, the total being 100% by weight;
- 2. subjecting the silica-containing fiber to a physiological saline fluid;
- and
- 3. extracting the silica at a rate of at least 5 parts per million (ppm) of silicon in 5 hours, thereby decomposing the silica-containing fiber.
A process of protecting a structural member from fire comprising the steps of:
- 1. providing a fiber blanket having a bulk density in the range of about 1.5 to about 3 lbs. per cubic foot (pcf);
- wherein the fiber blanket has the ability to pass ASTM E-119 two-hour fire test;
- the fibers in the blanket have an average diameter less than about 3.5 microns;
- and the fiber is an inorganic fiber prepared from a composition consisting essentially of:
- (a) 0-10 wt % of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 ;
- (b) 58-70 wt % SiO.sub.2 ;
- (c) 0-21 wt % MgO;
- (d) 0-2 wt % alkali metal oxide;
- and
- (e) the remainder consisting essentially of CaO, the total being 100% by weight;
- and
- 2. placing the blanket next to the member, and thereby protecting the member from fire.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.