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.

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.

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.

An electric induction system and method is provided for induction heating and melting of basalt charge for the production of molten process basalt that can be used for molten basalt processes that produce basalt articles of manufacture including cast basalt articles and continuous basalt casting processes for producing basalt articles such as fibers and filaments.

An electric induction system and method is provided for induction heating and melting of basalt charge for the production of molten process basalt that can be used for molten basalt processes that produce basalt articles of manufacture including cast basalt articles and continuous basalt casting processes for producing basalt articles such as fibers and filaments.

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.

Glass fibers formed from the inventive composition may be used in applications that require high stiffness and have a specific modulus between 34 and 40 MJ/kg. Such applications include woven fabrics for use in forming wind turbine blades and aerospace structures

Glass fibers formed from the inventive composition may be used in applications that require high stiffness and have a specific modulus between 34 and 40 MJ/kg. Such applications include woven fabrics for use in forming wind turbine blades and aerospace structures

A glass composition is provided that includes SiO.sub.2 in an amount from 50.0 to 65.0% by weight; Al.sub.2O.sub.3 in an amount from 18.0 to 23.0% by weight; CaO in an amount from 1 to 8.5% by weight; MgO in an amount from 9.0 to 14.0% by weight; Na.sub.2O in an amount from 0.0 to 1.0% by weight; K.sub.2O in an amount from 0.0 to 1.0% by weight; Li.sub.2O in an amount from 0.1 to 4.0% by weight; TiO.sub.2 in an amount from 0.0 to 2.5% by weight, Y.sub.2O.sub.3 in an amount from 0 to 10.0% by weight; La.sub.2O.sub.3 in an amount from 0 to 10.0% by weight; Ce.sub.2O.sub.3 in an amount from 0 to 5.0% by weight; and Sc.sub.2O.sub.3 in an amount from 0 to 5.0% by weight. Glass fibers formed from the inventive composition may be used in applications that require high stiffness and have elastic modulus between 88 and 115 GPa. Such applications include woven fabrics for use in forming wind turbine blades and aerospace structures.