Mathematical relationship for ingredients for fiber glass compositions
are used to identify properties of the glass. In particular the forming temperature
and delta T. In one embodiment, the mathematical relationship of the ingredients
is of a generic quaternary SiO2, CaO, Al2O3 and
MgO glass system. The relationship of SiO2, CaO, Al2O3
and MgO of interest include RO=CaO+MgO, SiO2/CaO, SiO2/RO,
SiO2/Al2O3; Al2O3/CaO; SiO2+Al2O3;
SiO2-RO and Al2O3/RO or RO/Al2O3.
when other ingredients or components are added to the glass batch materials to
alter the forming and/or liquidus temperatures of the glass, for example Na2O,
Li2O, K2O and B2O3 the following mathematical
relationships are of interest, (SiO2+Al2O3)/(R2O+RO+B2O3)
where RO is as previously defined and R2O=Na2O+Li2O+K2O.
Each of the compositional features of the glass identified above reflects the relative
balance between the fluidity (i.e. viscosity) of the glass melt and its crystallization
potential. Low boron or boron free fiber glass compositions having a low forming
temperature, e.g. 1178 to 1240 C. and a delta T greater than 50 C.
in order that the composition can be processed at a low temperature while reducing
the possibility of devitrification of the molten glass in the bushing area during
a glass fiber forming operation. Fiber glass compositions having low boron, e.g.
less than 5.10 percent by weight has a low forming temperature, e.g. 1193 to 1240
C. and a delta T greater than 50 C.