Analysis of Basalt Fiber's Application Prospects

Enhancing Concrete Structures

For instance, when chopped basalt fibersare mixed into a cement matrix, they form a uniform, three-dimensional "micro-skeleton" system that can withstand shrinkage deformation stress. This enhances the material's toughness, improves component ductility, and inhibits crack formation, making it a highly cost-effective reinforcing material. Basalt Fiber enhances concrete quality performance in the following three ways:

1. Increased Compressive Strength: Basalt fiber-reinforced concrete shows an approximate 2.6% increase in compressive strength, which helps improve the concrete's freeze-thaw resistance.
2. Improved Tensile and Flexural Strength, and Ductility: The splitting tensile strength of basalt fiber-reinforced concrete increases by about 9.8%, its flexural strength by approximately 15.3%, and its ultimate flexural tensile length by roughly 19.1%. These improvements delay the formation of initial cracks and reduce micro-cracks caused by concrete shrinkage.
3. Corrosion Resistance and Durability: Basalt fiber-reinforced rebars can effectively replace steel, solving engineering problems like metal corrosion and maintenance. This significantly enhances the durability and safety of concrete structures.

Applications in Road Asphalt Overlays

In the context of road asphalt overlays, incorporating anchored basalt fiber filaments can effectively inhibit transverse cracking in the pavement. When basalt fiber filaments are placed in the upper layer of the pavement, they can effectively prevent surface transverse cracking. If positioned in the lower layer, they can prevent the formation of reflective cracks from semi-rigid base layers.

Broadening Civil Engineering Applications

In the field of civil engineering materials, chopped basalt fibers and continuous fiber-reinforced composite products (such as rebars/connectors, cables, grids, and profiles) are increasingly being promoted and applied as structural materials and functional materials (like underfloor heating panels and sound-absorbing panels). Their usage has now surpassed that of carbon fiber in this domain.

Other Functional Applications

Furthermore, basalt fiber's high sound absorption coefficient and high operating temperature have led to its use in manufacturing heat treatment equipment, fireproof insulation products, and noise reduction equipment.