Patent ID: 9656903
Date: 2017-05-23
CPC Classifications: C03B,C03C,Y02P

Claim:
1. A method of forming high strength glass fibers in a continuous system having a glass melting furnace, a forehearth, and a bushing, the method comprising: supplying a glass batch to the furnace, wherein at least a portion of the furnace is lined with a material substantially free of noble metals thereby forming a furnace glass contact surface, the glass batch being capable of forming a fiberizable molten glass having a fiberizing temperature from 2,400° F. to 2,900° F. and comprising; melting the glass batch in the furnace by providing heat from a furnace heat source and forming a pool of molten glass in contact with the furnace glass contact surface; transporting the molten glass from the furnace to the bushing via the forehearth, wherein the forehearth is heated from a forehearth heat source, and wherein the forehearth is at least partially lined with a material substantially free of noble metal materials, forming a forehearth glass contact surface; discharging the molten glass from the forehearth into the bushing at a predetermined viscosity; and forming the molten glass into continuous glass fibers, the fibers having a pristine tensile strength greater than 700 kPsi.