TW202313497A - Bushing, glass fiber manufacturing device, and glass fiber manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

A bushing comprising: a base plate equipped with a plurality of cooling regions which extend in one prescribed direction, and on which a cooling member for cooling molten glass can be placed; a plurality of first nozzles provided in a first region, which is a region alongside the cooling region, of the base plate; and a plurality of second nozzles provided in a second region, which is a region alongside the cooling region, of the base plate, said bushing being characterized in that the average distance between the cooling region and the first region is shorter than the average distance between the cooling region and the second region, and the average length of the first nozzles is shorter than the average length of the second nozzles.

Description

Bushing, glass fiber manufacturing device, and glass fiber manufacturing method

The present invention relates to the manufacturing technology of improved glass fiber.

Circular cross-section glass fiber with a perfect circle, or non-circular cross-section glass fiber with oblong or elliptical flat shape, etc., can play a high role in the case of mixing with resin and compounding. Reinforcing effect, so it is used in various fields.

Such glass fibers are generally manufactured by cooling molten glass while pulling it out from a nozzle of a bushing. At this time, the cross-sectional shape of the produced glass fiber depends on the cooling state of the molten glass in addition to the shape of the nozzle hole at the tip of the nozzle.

For example, even if a nozzle with a flat nozzle hole is used to produce glass fibers with a special shape, if the viscosity of the molten glass pulled out from the nozzle is too low, the molten glass will be easily melted due to surface tension just below the tip of the nozzle. The cross-section of the glass fiber is formed in a circle, which makes it impossible to manufacture the specified special-shaped cross-section glass fiber. Furthermore, even in the case of producing glass fibers with a circular cross-section, glass fiber breakage can be avoided by properly cooling the molten glass.

Here, for example, the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus of Patent Document 1, as a cooling member for molten glass, has an inner layer material made of a material having a thermal conductivity of 100 W·m ^{− 1} ·k ^{− 1} or higher, and an outermost layer material containing nickel and The/or chromium material constitutes the hollow elongated body and/or the solid elongated body. With such a cooling member, molten glass can be efficiently cooled. [Prior Art Document] [Patent Document]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-184858

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

In recent years, research has been conducted on increasing the number of glass fibers drawn from one bushing to improve productivity, or to manufacture a large number of strands. Therefore, a method of reducing the number of cooling members included in the bushing and installing nozzles in this area was studied.

By using the cooling member described in Patent Document 1, although it is possible to improve the cooling efficiency of the molten glass pulled out from the nozzle, since the number of cooling members is reduced, the range of cooling by one cooling member will be expanded, resulting in the inability to cool all of the glass. The molten glass drawn from the nozzle is properly cooled.

In view of the above, the present invention makes it a subject to stably produce a large amount of glass fibers having a predetermined shape. [Technical means to solve the problem]

The bushing of the present invention is provided with: a base plate extending in a predetermined single direction, and having a plurality of cooling regions capable of disposing cooling members for cooling molten glass; a plurality of first nozzles are arranged on the base plate as an edge. The first area of the area of the aforementioned cooling area; and a plurality of second nozzles, which are arranged on the second area of the aforementioned bottom plate as an area along the aforementioned cooling area; it is characterized in that: the aforementioned cooling area and the aforementioned first area The average distance between them is shorter than the average distance between the cooling zone and the second zone, and the average length of the first nozzle is shorter than the average length of the second nozzle.

According to such a configuration, since a plurality of rows of nozzle regions are arranged between the cooling members, more nozzles can be arranged than in the prior art. Therefore, the productivity of glass fibers can be improved, and a large amount of glass fibers can be obtained at one time, so that a large number of strands can be produced. In addition, since the second nozzle located farther from the cooling region is longer than the first nozzle, it is possible to reduce the uneven cooling efficiency of the molten glass due to the difference in distance from the cooling member. Therefore, the viscosity of the molten glass at the time of molding can be appropriately adjusted, and the glass fiber can be stably molded.

In the present invention, it is preferable to further include: a plurality of third nozzles, which are arranged on the third area of the aforementioned bottom plate as an area along the aforementioned cooling area; the average distance between the aforementioned cooling area and the aforementioned second area, The average length of the second nozzle is shorter than the average distance between the cooling region and the third region, and the average length of the third nozzle is shorter.

According to such a structure, even when more nozzles are arrange|positioned, the unevenness of the cooling efficiency of molten glass can be reduced.

In this invention, it is preferable that the said 1st nozzle and the said 2nd nozzle are equipped with the flat nozzle hole in the front-end|tip part from which the said molten glass flows out.

According to such a structure, it is possible to easily manufacture glass fibers with a large number of special-shaped cross-sections.

The glass fiber manufacturing device of the present invention includes: the aforementioned bush; and a cooling member provided in the aforementioned cooling region.

Even with such a configuration, the same effects as those of the aforementioned configuration can be obtained.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the length of the cooling member from the bottom plate is longer than the first nozzle and the second nozzle.

Thereby, the molten glass pulled out from a 2nd nozzle can also be cooled efficiently.

The glass fiber manufacturing method of the present invention is to use the aforementioned glass fiber manufacturing device to manufacture glass fibers. Even with such a configuration, the same effects as those of the aforementioned configuration can be obtained.

In the present invention, it is preferably: the aforementioned molten glass-based E glass (E-glass).

Since E glass is a glass that is not easily devitrified, it is possible to improve the productivity of glass fibers.

In the present invention, it is preferred that the molten glass has a viscosity of 10 ^2.0 to 10 ^3.5 dPa·s at the forming temperature.

If it is 10 ^3.5 dPa·s or less, the viscosity of the molten glass will not be too high, so the formability of the glass fiber can be maintained well. Moreover, if it is more than 10 ^2.0 dPa·s, the viscosity of the molten glass will not be too low. Therefore, when producing glass fibers with special-shaped cross-sections, the force of making the molten glass return to a circular cross-section due to surface tension will be weakened, and the glass fiber can be improved. Fiber aspect ratio (major diameter/short diameter). [Effect of Invention]

According to the present invention, it is possible to stably manufacture a large amount of glass fibers having a predetermined shape.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment will be described. In addition, the following embodiment is an illustration only, and this invention is not limited to the following embodiment. In addition, in each drawing, the same code|symbol may be attached|subjected and referred to the member which has substantially the same function.

(The first embodiment of the manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method of glass fiber) As shown in Figure 1, the glass fiber manufacturing device 10 of this embodiment is a manufacturing device for circular cross-section glass fibers, and includes: a glass melting furnace 1, a forehearth 2 connected to the glass melting furnace 1, a forehearth 2 connected to the Feeder 3. Here, in the Cartesian coordinate system constituted by XYZ shown in FIG. 1 , the X direction and the Y direction are horizontal directions, and the Z direction is a vertical direction (the same applies hereinafter).

The molten glass G is supplied to the feeder 3 from the glass melting furnace 1 through the forehearth 2 and is stored in the feeder 3 . Although an example in which one glass melting furnace 1 is connected to one feeder 3 is shown in FIG. 1 , a plurality of feeders 3 may be connected to the glass melting furnace 1 . In addition, a clarification furnace may be installed between the glass melting furnace 1 and the forehearth 2 .

In this embodiment, although the molten glass G is made of E glass, other glass materials such as D glass, S glass, AR glass, and C glass may also be used.

A bush 4 is arranged at the bottom of the feeder 3 . The bushing 4 is installed on the feeder 3 through a bushing block or the like. The bottom of the bushing 4 is formed by a bottom plate 41 as shown in FIG. 2 , and a plurality of nozzles 5 are arranged on the bottom plate 41 . Furthermore, the bottom plate 41 extends in the Y direction, which is a predetermined single direction, and is provided with a plurality of cooling regions S where the cooling pipes 6 can be arranged. Moreover, in the cooling area S, the cooling pipe 6 as a cooling means is provided.

The molten glass G stored in the feeder 3 is pulled out downward from the plurality of nozzles 5 provided on the bottom plate 41 of the liner 4 to manufacture glass fibers (monofilaments) Gm. At this time, the viscosity of the molten glass G at the molding temperature is set within the range of 10 ^2.0 to 10 ^3.5 dPa·s (preferably 10 ^2.5 to 10 ^3.3 dPa·s). In addition, the viscosity of the molten glass G at the forming temperature is the viscosity of the molten glass G flowing into the position of the nozzle 5 . A sizing agent is applied to the surface of the glass fiber Gm with an applicator not shown, and 100 to 10,000 fibers are spun into one strand Gs. Also, the number of strands Gs depends on the number of glass fibers Gm to be spun, and the greater the number of glass fibers Gm, the greater the number of strands Gs. The spun yarn Gs is taken up as a fiber bundle Gr to the collet 7 of the take-up device. The strand Gs is, for example, cut into a predetermined length of about 1 to 20 mm, and utilized as chopped strands.

The glass melting furnace 1, the forehearth 2, the feeder 3, the liner 4, the nozzle 5 and the cooling pipe 6 are at least partially formed of platinum or a platinum alloy (for example, a platinum-rhodium alloy) which is an expensive material.

In order to adjust the viscosity of the molten glass G, one or a plurality of members selected from the forehearth 2, the feeder 3, and the liner 4 may be heated by electric heating or the like.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the nozzle 5 includes a nozzle wall 51 and a perfectly circular nozzle hole 52 formed by dividing the nozzle wall. The thickness of the nozzle wall 51 is 0.1 to 10 mm, and the diameter of the nozzle hole 52 is in the range of 0.5 to 15 mm. The nozzles 5 are arranged at equal intervals along the X direction and the Y direction. The distance between the nozzles 5 is, for example, about 1 to 20 mm.

Preferably, 200 to 10,000 nozzles 5 are arranged on the bottom plate 41 . By arranging the nozzles 5 of the aforementioned number, it is possible to obtain strands Gs having a large number. In addition, it is preferable that more than 1500 nozzles 5 are arranged on the bottom plate 41 .

The cooling pipe 6 circulates cooling water F as a fluid therein, thereby exerting a cooling effect. The cooling pipes 6 are plate-shaped bodies, and plural pieces are arranged so that the plate surfaces are aligned in a certain direction (Y direction). In addition, although the cooling pipe 6 is provided separately from the cooling area S of the bottom plate 41 in this embodiment, it may be provided integrally with the bottom of the bush 4 . In addition, the cooling pipe 6 may be a circular tubular body. The height position of the cooling pipe 6 can be appropriately adjusted depending on the cooling conditions of the molten glass G. For example, the cooling pipe 6 may be arranged above the front end of the nozzle 5 so as not to directly face the molten glass G pulled out from the nozzle 5, so as to straddle the gap between the nozzle 5 and the molten glass G pulled out from the nozzle 5. Both configurations are also available. The cooling member is not limited to the cooling pipe 6, and cooling fins for inducing airflow and cooling can also be used.

The bottom plate 41 has a plurality of cooling regions S arranged with cooling pipes 6 extending in the Y direction. A plurality of cooling regions S are arranged at predetermined intervals in the X direction. The cooling area S is in a flat state so that the cooling pipe 6 can be arranged. Furthermore, between the cooling regions S, a plurality of nozzles 5 are arranged.

Between the cooling regions S, there are a first region L1 and a second region L2 from the side close to the cooling region S. In the 1st area L1 and the 2nd area L2, the nozzle 5 of the same number is provided (the 1st nozzle 5a is provided in the 1st area L1, and the 2nd nozzle 5b is provided in the 2nd area L2). The 1st nozzle 5a is comprised by the nozzle wall 51a, and the 2nd nozzle 5b is comprised by the nozzle wall 51b. The length H1 of the first nozzle 5a is shorter than the length H2 of the second nozzle 5b.

The molten glass G pulled out from the first nozzle 5 a closer to the cooling pipe 6 is easily cooled by the cooling pipe 6 . On the other hand, the molten glass G pulled out from the second nozzle 5 b located farther from the cooling pipe 6 is less likely to be cooled by the cooling pipe 6 . The inventors of the present invention discovered that the unevenness in cooling can be suppressed by lowering the temperature of the molten glass G pulled out from the second nozzle 5 b in advance through intensive studies. As the inventors of the present invention conducted further intensive studies, it was found that the longer the time for the molten glass G to flow in the nozzle 5, the lower the temperature of the molten glass G. Therefore, unevenness in cooling efficiency of molten glass can be reduced by setting the relationship of the length of the nozzle 5 as mentioned above.

Therefore, it is not necessary to arrange the cooling pipes 6 on the partition walls of all the nozzles 5 , so that more nozzles 5 can be arranged on the bottom plate 41 .

By making the ratio (H2/H1) of the length H1 of the first nozzle 5a to the length H2 of the second nozzle 5b 1.1 to 2.0, it is possible to reduce uneven cooling and reduce the manufacturing cost of the nozzle 5 (the amount of platinum used). ).

Furthermore, the length H3 of the cooling pipe 6 from the bottom plate 41 is longer than the length H1 of the first nozzle 5a and the length H2 of the second nozzle 5b. Thereby, the molten glass G pulled out from the 1st nozzle 5a and the 2nd nozzle 5b can be cooled more efficiently by the cooling pipe 6.

(Second embodiment of glass fiber manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method) About the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus of 2nd Embodiment, only the point which differs from the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 10 of 1st Embodiment is demonstrated.

As shown in FIG. 4 , nozzles 5 are arranged on the bottom plate 42 of the bushing 14 in a different arrangement from the bottom plate 41 of the first embodiment. The nozzles 5 are arranged in a staggered shape. By such an arrangement, the second nozzle 5 b arranged in the second region L2 can be cooled more efficiently by the cooling pipe 6 . In the first embodiment, the cooling efficiency of the second nozzle 5b may be slightly lowered due to being blocked by the first nozzle 5a. On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the 2nd nozzle 5b is not blocked by the 1st nozzle 5a, it can cool more efficiently.

(Third embodiment of glass fiber manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method) About the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus of 3rd Embodiment, only the point which differs from the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 10 of 1st Embodiment is demonstrated.

As shown in FIG. 6 , nozzles 5 are arranged on the bottom plate 43 of the bushing 24 in a different arrangement from the bottom plate 41 of the first embodiment. Between the cooling regions S, from the side close to the cooling region S, there are a first region L1, a second region L2, and a third region L3. In the first area L1, the second area L2, and the third area L3, the same number of nozzles 5 are provided (the first nozzle 5a is provided in the first area L1, the second nozzle 5b is provided in the second area L2, and the second nozzle 5b is provided in the second area L1). 3. The third nozzle 5c) is provided in the area L3. The 1st nozzle 5a is comprised by the nozzle wall 51a, the 2nd nozzle 5b is comprised by the nozzle wall 51b, and the 3rd nozzle 5c is comprised by the nozzle wall 51c. As shown in FIG. 5, the length H1 of the first nozzle 5a is shorter than the length H2 of the second nozzle 5b, and the length H2 of the second nozzle 5b is shorter than the length H4 of the third nozzle 5c.

In this way, the length of the nozzle 5 becomes longer so that it is farther away from the cooling area S, and by this, the unevenness of cooling of the molten glass G pulled out from the nozzle 5 can be reduced.

Also, the length H3 of the cooling pipe 6 from the bottom plate 43 is longer than the length H1 of the first nozzle 5a, the length H2 of the second nozzle 5b, and the length H4 of the third nozzle 5c. Thereby, the molten glass G pulled out from the 1st nozzle 5a, the 2nd nozzle 5b, and the 3rd nozzle 5c can be cooled more efficiently by the cooling pipe 6.

(Fourth embodiment of glass fiber manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method) About the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus of 4th Embodiment, only the point which differs from the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 10 of 1st Embodiment is demonstrated.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , on the bottom plate 44 of the bushing 34 , between adjacent cooling regions S, a plurality of nozzle regions L4 and L5 are arranged in parallel at intervals in the X direction. The nozzle 5 is provided with a nozzle hole 53 having a flat shape (in this embodiment, an oblong shape) at a tip portion from which molten glass flows out. In this embodiment, the long-diameter direction of the nozzle hole 53 coincides with the Y direction, and the short-diameter direction of the nozzle hole 53 coincides with the X direction. In addition, the cross-sectional shape of the nozzle hole 53 may be a shape such as an ellipse other than an oval.

Between the cooling regions S, there are a first region L4 and a second region L5 from the side close to the cooling region S. The nozzle 5 of the same number is provided in 1st area|region L4 and 2nd area|region L5 (1st nozzle 5d is provided in 1st area|region L4, and 2nd nozzle 5e is provided in 2nd area|region L5). The 1st nozzle 5d is comprised with the nozzle wall 51d, and the 2nd nozzle 5e is comprised with the nozzle wall 51e. The length H5 of the first nozzle 5d is shorter than the length H6 of the second nozzle 5e.

The bushing 34 with the nozzle hole 53 having a flat shape (oblong circle in this embodiment) is used to manufacture glass fibers with irregular cross-sections. Even when molten glass G is pulled out from the nozzle hole 53 of such a shape, the cross section of a glass fiber becomes a perfect circle easily by surface tension. Therefore, conventionally, many cooling members 6 were required. Therefore, by setting the relationship of the length of the nozzle 5 as mentioned above, the 2nd nozzle 5e of the 2nd area|region L5 can also be cooled efficiently, Therefore The number of cooling members 6 can be reduced.

By making the ratio (H6/H5) of the length H5 of the first nozzle 5d to the length H6 of the second nozzle 5e 1.1 to 2.0, it is possible to reduce unevenness in cooling and reduce the manufacturing cost of the nozzle 5 (the amount of platinum used). ).

Furthermore, the length H7 of the cooling pipe 6 from the bottom plate 44 is longer than the length H5 of the first nozzle 5d and the length H6 of the second nozzle 5e. Thereby, the molten glass G pulled out from the 1st nozzle 5d and the 2nd nozzle 5e can be cooled more efficiently by the cooling pipe 6.

In addition, the total number of nozzles 5 included in the first region L4 and the second region L5 is preferably 10 to 100 or less. In addition, the total number of nozzles 5 arranged on the bottom plate 44 is preferably 400 to 4000 or less.

According to this embodiment in which the glass fiber is produced as described above, the effects shown below can be obtained.

This embodiment is provided with: a bottom plate extending in a predetermined single direction, and having a plurality of cooling regions capable of disposing a cooling member for cooling molten glass; a plurality of first nozzles arranged on the bottom plate as along the cooling region The first area of the area; and a plurality of second nozzles, which are located on the bottom plate as the second area along the cooling area; the average distance between the cooling area and the first area, compared with the cooling area and the second area The average distance between them is shorter, and the average length of the first nozzle is shorter than the average length of the second nozzle. By setting the length relationship between the first nozzle and the second nozzle in this way, it is possible to stably manufacture a large amount of glass fibers of a predetermined shape.

As mentioned above, although the manufacturing method of the glass fiber which concerns on embodiment of this invention was demonstrated, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, Various changes are possible in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention.

1: Glass melting furnace 4,14,24,34: Bushing 41,42,43,44: Bottom plate 5: Nozzle 5a: No. 1 nozzle 5b: No. 2 nozzle 5c: No. 3 nozzle 5d: No. 1 nozzle 5e: No. 2 nozzle 51: nozzle wall 51a: nozzle wall 51b: nozzle wall 51c: nozzle wall 51d: nozzle wall 51e: nozzle wall 52,53: nozzle hole 6: Cooling pipe 7: collet 10: Glass fiber manufacturing device F: cooling water G: molten glass Gm: glass fiber Gr: fiber bundle Gs: Strand S: cooling area L1, L4: the first area L2, L5: the second area L3: Area 3

[Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a sectional view showing a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [FIG. 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the periphery of the nozzle of the bushing in FIG. 1. [FIG. [FIG. 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged bottom view showing the periphery of the nozzle of the bushing in FIG. 1. [FIG. [ Fig. 4 ] Fig. 4 is a bottom view showing enlarged nozzle periphery of a bushing of a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [ Fig. 5 ] Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the periphery of a nozzle of a bushing of a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [ Fig. 6 ] Fig. 6 is a bottom view showing enlarged nozzle periphery of a bushing of a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [ Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the periphery of the nozzle of the liner of the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [ Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is an enlarged bottom view showing the periphery of the nozzle of the liner of the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

4: Bushing

5: Nozzle

5a: No. 1 nozzle

5b: No. 2 nozzle

6: Cooling pipe

41: Bottom plate

51: nozzle wall

51a: nozzle wall

51b: nozzle wall

52: nozzle hole

F: cooling water

G: molten glass

Gm: glass fiber

L1: Area 1

L2: second area

S: cooling area

H1, H2, H3: Length

Claims (8)

A bushing having: The bottom plate extends in a predetermined single direction and has a plurality of cooling areas where cooling components for cooling molten glass can be arranged; A plurality of first nozzles are arranged in the first area of the aforementioned bottom plate as an area along the aforementioned cooling area; and A plurality of second nozzles are arranged in the second area of the aforementioned bottom plate as an area along the aforementioned cooling area; its features are: The average distance between the aforementioned cooling area and the aforementioned first area is shorter than the average distance between the aforementioned cooling area and the aforementioned second area, The average length of the first nozzle is shorter than the average length of the second nozzle. The bushing according to claim 1, wherein, It further includes: a plurality of third nozzles arranged in the third area of the aforementioned bottom plate as an area along the aforementioned cooling area; The average distance between the aforementioned cooling area and the aforementioned second area is shorter than the average distance between the aforementioned cooling area and the aforementioned third area, The average length of the second nozzle is shorter than the average length of the third nozzle. The bushing according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The said 1st nozzle and the said 2nd nozzle are provided with the nozzle hole of flat shape in the front-end|tip part from which the said molten glass flows out. A glass fiber manufacturing device is provided with: The bushing according to any one of claims 1 to 3; and The cooling member provided in the aforementioned cooling area. The glass fiber manufacturing apparatus as described in Claim 4, wherein, The length of the cooling member from the bottom plate is longer than that of the first nozzle and the second nozzle. A glass fiber manufacturing method, using the glass fiber manufacturing device described in Claim 4 or 5 to manufacture glass fibers. The glass fiber manufacturing method as described in Claim 6, wherein, The aforementioned molten glass is E glass. The glass fiber production method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the molten glass has a viscosity of 10 ^2.0 to 10 ^3.5 dPa·s at the forming temperature.

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