EFFECT OF KEY OXIDES, INCLUDING Li_2O, ON REDUCING THE MELT VISCOSITY AND ENERGY DEMAND OF E-GLASS COMPOSITIONS

摘要

It was of interest to determine if the log3 fiber forming temperature(implicitly energy use and cost) of E-glass melts at any B2O3 level can be reduced while offering crystallization resistant melts as well as fibers meeting ASTM and user specifications. The forming temperature (the temperature of the melt at a viscosity of log3 poise) of experimental compositions was reduced by 10 to 40 deg C at any B2O3 level by reducing the delta between forming and liquidus temperature from 80-100 deg C to 60-65 deg C. And at the same delta temperature (crystallization resistance) the forming temperature was reduced by 6 deg C by adding 0.6 percent Li2O to a B2O3-free E-glass melt, by 16-21 deg C by adding either 0.9 percent Li2O or 1 percent B2O3, and by 40 deg C by adding 0.9 percent Li2O and 1 percent B2O3. The energy and materials cost balance can be calculated but depends on differences between furnaces and raw materials. Focused compositional optimization may become a valuable tool in an age of rising energy cost and environmental concern.