A vitreous composition according to Table (I) is described. Continuous vitreous fibers are obtained by downdrawing said molten composition, with a length ranging from millimeters to kilometers and diameters ranging from 2 μm to 3 mm. The fibers are covered with collagen and form vitreous fabrics. The fabrics form articles with a variety of medical uses.

Methods, systems and apparatus for producing continuous basalt fibers, microfibers, and microspheres from high temperature melts are disclosed. A cold crucible induction furnace is used to super heat crushed basalt rock to form a melt. The melt is cooled prior to forming a fiber. The fiber produced from the superheated melt possesses superior properties not found with conventional basalt fibers produced in gas furnaces. In some implementations, the superheated melt is spun into continuous basalt fibers. In some implementations, the superheated melt is blown into microfibers and microspheres.

A drawn glass element for producing glass optical waveguides is provided. The element has two first length portions with a first cross-sectional area and which define the two ends of the glass element; a second, intermediate length portion between the two first length portions, which has a second cross-sectional area smaller than the first cross-sectional area; a first transition portion between the intermediate length portion and one of the first length portions; and a second transition portion between the intermediate length portion and another of the first length portions. The first and second transition portions have a cross-sectional area that steadily changes and merges from the first cross-sectional area into the second cross-sectional area.

A system for drawing optical fiber in microgravity including a sealed housing to prevent infiltration of at least humidity and filled with a dry environment, a preform holder located within the sealed housing to hold preform material, a furnace located within the sealed housing to receive the preform material from the preform holder and to heat the preform material from which the optical fiber is pulled, a feed system to move the preform material from the preform holder to the furnace, a drawing mechanism located within the sealed housing to pull the optical fiber from the preform material within the furnace, a diameter monitor located within the sealed housing to measure a diameter of the optical fiber and a fiber collection mechanism located within the sealed housing to gather and store the optical fiber.

Provided herein is a method of and system for processing an optical fiber. The method includes the steps of drawing an optical fiber in a drawing direction along a process pathway through a coating chamber comprising an inlet and an outlet, and a coating liquid volume to coat the optical fiber; supplying the coating liquid through the inlet, the coating liquid exiting the coating chamber through the outlet; and recirculating to coating liquid exiting the coating chamber to the inlet.

Provided herein is a method of and system for processing an optical fiber. The method includes the steps of drawing an optical fiber in a drawing direction along a process pathway through a coating chamber comprising an inlet and an outlet, and a coating liquid volume to coat the optical fiber; supplying the coating liquid through the inlet, the coating liquid exiting the coating chamber through the outlet; and recirculating to coating liquid exiting the coating chamber to the inlet.

A glass composition for glass fiber includes SiO.sub.2 in the range of 52.0% by mass or more and 56.0% by mass or less; B.sub.2O.sub.3 in the range of 21.0% by mass or more and 24.5% by mass or less; Al.sub.2O.sub.3 in the range of 9.5% by mass or more and 13.0% by mass or less; MgO in the range of 0% by mass or more and less than 1.0% by mass; CaO in the range of 0.5% by mass or more and 5.5% by mass or less; SrO in the range of 0.5% by mass or more and 6.0% by mass or less; and TiO.sub.2 in the range of 0.1% by mass or more and 3.0% by mass or less; and includes F.sub.2 and Cl.sub.2 in the range of 0.1% by mass or more and 2.0% by mass or less in total, with respect to the total amount.

Glass compositions and glass fibers having low dielectric constants and low dissipation factors that may be suitable for use in electronic applications and articles are disclosed. The glass fibers and compositions of the present invention may include between 48.0 to 58.0 weight percent SiO.sub.2; between 15.0 and 26.0 weight percent B.sub.2O.sub.3; between 12.0 and 18.0 weight percent Al.sub.2O.sub.3; between greater than 0.25 and 3.0 weight percent P.sub.2O.sub.5; between greater than 0.25 and 7.00 weight percent CaO; 5.0 or less weight percent MgO; between greater than 0 and 1.5 weight percent SnO.sub.2; and 6.0 or less weight percent TiO.sub.2. Further, the glass composition has a glass viscosity of 1000 poise at a temperature greater than 1350 degrees Celsius and a liquidus temperature greater than 1000 degrees Celsius.

Glass compositions and glass fibers having low dielectric constants and low dissipation factors that may be suitable for use in electronic applications and articles are disclosed. The glass fibers and compositions of the present invention may include between 48.0 to 58.0 weight percent SiO.sub.2; between 15.0 and 26.0 weight percent B.sub.2O.sub.3; between 12.0 and 18.0 weight percent Al.sub.2O.sub.3; between greater than 0.25 and 3.0 weight percent P.sub.2O.sub.5; between greater than 0.25 and 7.00 weight percent CaO; 5.0 or less weight percent MgO; between greater than 0 and 1.5 weight percent SnO.sub.2; and 6.0 or less weight percent TiO.sub.2. Further, the glass composition has a glass viscosity of 1000 poise at a temperature greater than 1350 degrees Celsius and a liquidus temperature greater than 1000 degrees Celsius.

Methods and apparatus for producing fibers from igneous rock, including basalt include heating igneous rock by electrical conductive coils to achieve an homogenous melt and forming homogenous fibers from the melt.