Effect of iron oxides on the fabrication and properties of continuous glass fibers

We have studied the effect of iron oxides (0–10 wt % in terms of FeO) on the fabrication conditions and properties of continuous Fe-containing glass fibers and have determined the temperature ranges of fiber fabrication. A relationship between the iron oxide content of glass and the fiber fabrication temperature has been established. Using differential scanning calorimetry and x-ray diffraction, we have investigated the effect of glass composition on the glass transition temperature and temperature range of crystallization of the fibers. At high iron oxide contents (5–10 wt %), the first to crystallize is magnetite, otherwise quartz appears first. Increasing the heat-treatment temperature leads to crystallization of pigeonite, augite, enstatite, anorthite, and labradorite.