The Taylor-Ulitosky Process is used to produce continuous metallic filament covered by a layer of glass. In this method, the metal ingot is melted by induction and encapsulated in a stable viscous sheath of a silicate glass that is drawn down continuously and the metal and silicate are solidified by a jet of water to form a coated alloy glass filament. The composite microwires typically consist of a metallic nucleus with diameter ranging between 1 and 30 mm and an insulating coating 2 to 10 mm thick. The main differences with previously described wires are: i) The smaller diameter of the metallic nucleus with interesting possibilities in miniaturization, and ii) The presence of the insulating coating, which offers protection against corrosion and electrical insulation, also inducing additional strong mechanical stresses to the nucleus.
