Surface properties such as chemical durability are of critical importance to the behaviour & performance of fine diameter, discontinuous glass fibre. In addition to bulk composition, these properties are infuenced by the method of fiberization & the specific process variables employed in production. Controlled dissolution studies combined with SEM & surface chemical analysis were used to evaluate process effects, particularly as they relate to durability & persistence of fibres in the lung. Results indicated that fibres produced by pure flame attenuation exhibited a unique concentric structure with an outer surface that can be more durable than the bulk composition would indicate. Fibres produced by air attenuation in either continous draw or rotary processes are more uniform with surfaces that are more open and reactive to moisture or simulated body fluids.
