Compaction Effects in Glass Fibers

Glass fibers as commercially produced have physical and mechanical properties which differ from those of the massive form of the same glass. When these fibers are subjected to subsequent heat-treatments, the values of the measured properties tend to return to those of the massive glass. This phenomenon is called compaction because in the process density increases. The effect of compaction on the physical properties of fibers is discussed and the mechanism of this phenomenon is described briefly.