Glass Fibre Manufacturing Process
topic
Production: (1) batch preparation mixing silica sand, limestone, alumina, borates, (2) melting in furnace at 1400-1600°C, (3) homogenization and conditioning to 1200-1260°C, (4) extrusion through platinum-rhodium bushing (200-8000 holes of 1-2 mm), (5) rapid attenuation to 3-24 μm diameter at 50-100 m/s, (6) sizing application (0.5-2% coating of film formers, coupling agents, lubricants), (7) gathering into strand or roving, (8) winding or chopping. Production rates: 3-5 km/min per hole.
Role
High-temperature processing and rapid attenuation create amorphous structure with isotropic properties, while sizing chemistry critically affects composite interface performance and processing characteristics.