Systems and methods for manufacturing fibers with enhanced thermal performance

摘要

A method of producing glass fibres having inclusions that change the absorption and refractive index of the fibres. In the method a molten material is supplied to a fibre forming apparatus. A controlled amount of particulate is added to the molten material which is formed into fibres (F). An undissolved portion of the added particulate forms inclusions (i) in the fibres, the inclusions having an absorption index in a 2-7μm wavelength region that is greater than a corresponding absorption index of the material. The material of the particulate has a melting temperature that is greater than a temperature of the molten glass material when the particulate is added to the molten glass material. To maintain structural integrity of the fibres, the diameter (d) of the inclusions are limited to a predetermined fraction of the diameter (D) of the fibres, for example about one half or less of the diameter. The fibres are used in an insulation product (A).