Contact drying of fibers to form composite strands

A method for forming a plurality of sized first and second fibers comprising the steps of:

• drawing a plurality of first fibers from a source of molten glass;
• providing a supply of one or more second fibers of a second material;
• applying a size to said first and second fibers;
• contacting said sized first and second fibers with a heated member to effect drying of said size on said first and second fibers, said contacting of said sized first and second fibers with said heated member occurring in-line with said drawing of said first fibers;
• commingling said one or more second fibers with said first fibers.

A method for forming a plurality of sized first and second fibers comprising the steps of:

• drawing a plurality of first fibers from a source of molten glass;
• providing a supply of one or more second fibers of a second material;
• applying a size to said first and second fibers;
• contacting said sized first and second fibers with a heated member to heat said size on said first and second fibers, said contacting of said sized first and second fibers with said heated member occurring in-line with said drawing of said first fibers;
• commingling said one or more second fibers with said first fibers.