This paper determines if the log3 fiber-forming temperature of E-glass melts at any B2O3 level can be reduced while offering crystallization resistant melts as well as fibers meeting ASTM and user specifications. The forming temperature of experimental compositions was reduced by 10 to 40 deg C at any B2O3 level by reducing the delta between forming and liquidus temperature from 80-100 deg C to 60-65 deg C and, at the same delta temperature, the forming temperature was reduced by 6 deg C by adding 0.6% of Li2O to a B2O3-free E-glass melt, by 16-21 deg C by adding either 0.9% Li2O or 1% B2O3, and by 40 deg C by adding 0.9% Li2O and 1% B2O3. The energy and materials cost balance can be calculated but depends on differences between furnaces and raw materials.
