Glass manufacturing – Processes of manufacturing fibers – filaments – or preforms – With coating
Patent
1995-07-24
1997-11-25
Mayes, Melvin
Glass manufacturing
Processes of manufacturing fibers, filaments, or preforms
With coating
65443, 65469, 65470, 65522, 65529, C03B 3704, C03C 2502
Patent
active
056907150
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a process for manufacturing glass fibers from sand, recycled glass, and additives, which are, after having been melted into liquid glass, pressed through a number of openings in a turn table, whereupon the glass fibers which are still hot are sprayed with water and then with a binder, in order to then be shaped under pressure into a mat or similar shape. The invention also relates to a plant for performing the process, having a liquid glass container with an outlet opening, a turn table with openings, gas burners, as well as feed rings followed by nozzles for the water and the binder, and a premixing container for the binder.
During the manufacturing of glass fibers, the liquid glass is pressed through the openings of a turn table which hereby revolves at a high speed. The correspondingly fine glass fibers are then rinsed off with water and sprayed with a binder, so that the individual glass fibers then can be put together into mats or rolls, and even remain in this shape after leaving the drying oven. It is hereby known that a binder consisting essentially of phenol resin and silicone is used, whereby the end products then have an intensive yellow color due to the resin. The disadvantage hereby is that the resin is able to partially escape during the later processing or during its use as an insulator, thus creating environmental problems. Another disadvantage is that the binder effect is either completely or partially eliminated if water penetrates. European Patent 129 227 introduces a binder consisting of starch, to which other substances, such as e.g. silicone, are mixed. This product is used as a binder for paper, insulating material, plastic, textiles, etc. U.S. Pat. No. 5,006,140 finally introduces the spraying of the binder, first with water and then with a binder mixture of starch and silicone. Apparently the process here was the same as for phenol resin, i.e. 4 to 4.5% binder was sprayed onto the glass fibers. This yields a white glass fiber mat which can be rolled up and processed, but which has areas where it collapses partially or completely and which in particular do not have volume densities above 18 to 20 kg/m.sup.3. The liquid starch which is sprayed with the silicone onto the glass fibers tends to form lumps, thus making a spraying through the nozzles more difficult. And finally, after medium standing times, separations occur, so that the binder mixture then cannot be used at all anymore.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is based on the objective of creating a process and a plant with which phenol-free glass wool can be produced safely, cheaply, and continuously with practically any volume density.
According to the invention, this objective is attained in that the binder is used in the form of a mixture of starch (polysaccharides) and silicone in an amount from 6 to 8%, that a long-chain starch is used as a starch which is first heated to 50.degree. to 60.degree. C., and is kept at this temperature and stirred until it is sprayed, whereby starch and silicone are sprayed onto the glass fibers simultaneously, but through separate nozzles.
The long-chain starch results in an advantageous, uniformly bound and bonded glass fiber mixture so that very uniform mats and plates can be produced. In spite of the long-chain starch being used, no problems with obstructed lines and nozzles occur, but rather it is possible to keep the starch so liquid that it can be sprayed without problems onto the glass fibers. Since starch and silicone are sprayed through separate devices onto the glass fibers, no standing time problems can occur, whereby it is also possible to advantageously ensure that exactly the right parts of starch and silicone are always being used for the entire charge. When using the intended 6 to 8% of binder related to the glass wool, it is possible that the entire amount of the glass wool or glass fibers is covered in such a way as to simultaneously ensure the desired hydrophobia. The optimum is reached when 6.5% binder is used.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3762896 (1973-10-01), Borst
patent: 5006140 (1991-04-01), Loercks et al.
patent: 5100450 (1992-03-01), Cunningham
Creighton Wray James
Mayes Melvin
LandOfFree
Glass fiber manufacturing process and plant does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Glass fiber manufacturing process and plant, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Glass fiber manufacturing process and plant will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2103001