Analysis of the application of continuous basalt fibers in navigation markers

When comparing individual Chemical or mechanical properties, high-tech fibers with superior characteristics to continuousbasalt fiber(CBF) can be found. However, when considering comprehensive performance, CBF emerges as the optimal "versatile" fiber. Beyond its high strength, high modulus, and advanced technical features, CBF demonstrates exceptional resistance to acid/alkali corrosion, extreme temperatures, radiation, and oxidation. It also exhibits excellent thermal/acoustic insulation, filtration efficiency, flame retardancy, high compressive and shear strength, along with remarkable adaptability to diverse environments. These properties make it effective in reducing structural weight while forming novel Composite Materials. Considering navigational aids' operational environments and characteristics, CBF and its composites offer distinct advantages for manufacturing buoy bodies, beacon structures, and top marks:

(1) Lightweight and High Rigidity

Compared to steel, CBF triples the tensile strength (exceeding 1,000 MPa) while maintaining merely a quarter of steel's density. This facilitates transportation, hoisting, and maintenance with significant resource savings. Its favorable elastic modulus, tensile strength, and elongation at break ensure structural integrity during minor collisions with vessels.

(2) Superior Corrosion Resistance and Longevity

CBF demonstrates outstanding chemical resistance to acids, alkalis, salts, and marine environments. Pipe materials manufactured with CBF are designed for 50-year service life, with South Korean material experts projecting potential longevity exceeding a century. Navigational aids made from CBF eliminate the need for anti-corrosive coatings or cathodic protection. Its proven performance in China's shipbuilding industry – extensively used in hulls, engine room insulation, and superstructures – validates its exceptional seawater corrosion resistance.

(3) Cost-Effectiveness and Low Maintenance  

Utilizing abundant basalt reserves widely distributed globally, CBF's raw material availability surpasses that of metallic resources. With maturing production technologies from China's National 863 Program, its manufacturing cost has become comparable to E-glass fiber. The inherent chemical stability of CBF eliminates frequent maintenance requirements like derusting and repainting for steel buoys, thereby reducing lifecycle costs, labor intensity, and environmental impact. Current steel buoys in northern Chinese waters require annual biofouling removal, repainting, and deployment via large vessels – processes carrying environmental concerns and vulnerability to damage. Traditional steel or FRP beacons suffer from short maintenance cycles, high costs, or deformation issues, while ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene buoys face cost limitations.