Drawing of oxynitride glass fibers

Abstract

Glass fibers were drawn from three MgO-Al₂O₃-Y₂O₃-SiO₂-based oxynitride glass melts. A single-hole bushing process was used to spin the melts containing nitrogen contents between about 13 and 16at.%. The drawing process is described in detail, and it is shown that besides melt viscosity the high surface tension of the oxynitride glass melts strongly controls the fiberization. Thi s is analyzed in terms of Reynolds and Weber numbers. Glass fibers up to a length of about 30 cm can be drawn for Reynolds numbers between about O.Ol and 0.2 and Weber numbers between about 2.6 and 3.1, however, even there the fiber diameter oscillates to some extent. For smaller Reynolds and Weber numbers it is impossible to draw fibers at all. In this instability regime only droplets leave the nozzle outlet. The oxynitride fibers obtained have excellent mechanical properties and a high chemical resistance to alkaline attack.