Glass Fiber Bushing Coating to Suppress Platinum Nozzle Abrasion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bushings for producing glass fibers suffer from nozzle abrasion due to volatilization of platinum-based materials under high-temperature and high-speed air flow, leading to reduced production efficiency and quality, despite existing countermeasures like windshield walls, dummy nozzles, and ceramic coatings, which either disrupt airflow or increase material usage inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A bushing design where a ceramic coating is selectively applied only to the outer circumferential face of the nozzle tip, while the base plate is left uncoated to act as a sacrificial metal, minimizing abrasion by controlling oxidation and volatilization of platinum-based materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a ceramic coating is applied to the entire bushing to protect against abrasion, then the protection effect is enhanced, but cracks and holes may form in the coating layer under high-temperature conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies ceramic coating selectively only to the nozzle tip area rather than the entire bushing. This local coating approach protects the most critical abrasion-prone region (nozzle tip) while avoiding the high-temperature environment where cracks and holes would form in extensively coated areas. The coating is applied in a controlled local zone with specific dimensions (nozzle outer diameter × coating length) to balance protection needs with thermal stability.
2Reliability
If windshield walls or dummy nozzles are added to protect nozzles from air flow, then nozzle protection is improved, but the airflow is disrupted and production efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the airflow-disrupting components (windshield walls and dummy nozzles) and replaces them with a streamlined ceramic coating applied directly to the nozzle tip. This extraction of unnecessary protective structures eliminates airflow disruption while maintaining nozzle protection through the coating's abrasion resistance, thereby preserving production efficiency.
3Strength
If platinum-based materials are used for the bushing, then high-temperature strength and stability are improved, but volatilization loss occurs under high-temperature and high-speed air flow conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure combining platinum-based bushing material with a ceramic coating layer. The platinum base provides high-temperature strength and structural stability, while the localized ceramic coating on the nozzle tip provides abrasion resistance without causing widespread volatilization. This composite approach leverages the advantages of both materials while mitigating their individual disadvantages.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design extends the operational life of the bushing by suppressing nozzle abrasion, ensuring stable glass fiber production over extended periods without disrupting airflow or increasing material usage, thereby maintaining production efficiency and quality.
Implementation Method 1
volatilization loss is caused in platinum at a high temperature, and volatilization of platinum is accelerated in a part exposed to the high-temperature/high-speed air flow, resulting in causing abrasion of the nozzle
Implementation Method 2
volatilization loss is caused in platinum at a high temperature
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2~3
Figure 4(A)~4(B)
AI summary
The present invention relates to a bushing for producing glass fibers, including: a plurality of nozzles made of platinum or the like from which molten glass is discharged; and a base plate made of platinum or the like. A coating layer is preferentially formed on an outer circumferential face in a tip part on the side of glass discharge of the nozzle, and a width of the coating layer is 5% or more and 95% or less with respect to the entire length of the nozzle. The base plate includes, in at least a part thereof, a non-coating area not provided with the coating layer. Areas of the nozzles and the base plate not provided with the coating layer act as a sacrificial metal for protecting the nozzle tip parts where the coating layer is formed. In consideration of the action of the sacrificial metal, a coverage rate P of the coating layer in the nozzle tip parts calculated in accordance with a prescribed equation is preferably 5% or more and 350% or less. A cause of nozzle abrasion in a bushing for producing glass fibers is found, and nozzles are minimally abraded in a long-term operation.