Effect of rare earth oxides on the properties of bio-soluble alkaline earth silicate fibers

Using natural mineral wollastonite, talc and quartz sands as raw materials, rare earth oxides (La2O3, Nd2O3 and Y2O3) as additives, the bio-soluble alkaline earth silicate fibers were prepared by melting and blowing process. The viscosity of the molten materials, bio-solubility and crystallization behavior of the fiber were investigated. The results indicated that the fiber drawing temperature range could be broadened since the slope of the temperature-viscosity curve decreased with adding rare earth oxide. The addition of rare earth oxide was beneficial to the increase of crystallization temperature by strengthening the network structure of the fiber. The existence of rare earth oxide in the fibers would reduce the solubility of the fibers, which still belonged to bio-soluble fibers.