From Raw Material to Application: Basalt Fiber

Basalt fiberproducts exhibit clear advantages over glass fiber in Composite Materials. In the forms of chopped mat, roving, and unidirectional fabric,basalt fiber demonstrates higher breaking loads and Young's modulus (a measure of stiffness for a given material) compared to glass fiber.

In a study conducted by Professor Ignaas Verpoest of the Department of Composite Materials at Luvin University in Belgium, research was carried out on Basalt fiber and E-glass fiber. Unidirectional prepregs were prepared by impregnating both glass and basalt with epoxy resin, winding them onto a mandrel, and then pressing the laminates until full curing was achieved. Samples measuring 135 mm×15 mm (5.3 inches×0.6 inches) were cut and their thickness measured. The specimens were then subjected to three-point bending tests (ISO 178) and ILSS tests (ISO 14130) to evaluate strength and stiffness.

Verpoest reported that while each sample had a fiber volume fraction of 40%, the strength of the basalt/epoxy samples was 13.7% higher than that of the E-glass samples, and their stiffness was 17.5% higher, despite the basalt samples being 3.6% heavier than the E-glass samples.

Furthermore, basalt fiber is naturally resistant to ultraviolet (UV) and high-energy electromagnetic radiation, maintains its properties at low temperatures, and offers better acid resistance. Basalt is also reported to have superior advantages in terms of worker safety and air quality. Since basalt is a product of volcanic activity, the fiberization process is more environmentally friendly than that of glass fiber. Additionally, basalt is 100% inert, meaning it has no toxic reactions with air or water, and is non-combustible and explosion-proof.

Applications in Fire Protection and Thermal Insulation

Basalt fiber woven into fireproof fabric offers high temperature resistance, excellent thermal insulation, no melting or dripping, no toxic gas emissions, and no thermal shrinkage. It is an excellent material for fire suits, fire blankets, and fire curtains, with a temperature resistance of up to 650∘C and a limiting oxygen index greater than 68, significantly superior to aramid and other organic fibers.

Applications in Infrastructure

Basalt fiber has high tensile strength, acid and alkali resistance, and stable chemical properties. It can partially replace carbon fiber sheets for the repair, renovation, and reinforcement of infrastructure. It can also replace polyester fiber, polypropylene fiber, and polyacrylonitrile fiber for reinforcing mortar concrete and asphalt concrete, offering strong impermeability and crack resistance. It can be widely used in infrastructure fields such as highways, airport runways, seaports and wharves, and hydropower engineering constructions.

Applications in Environmental Protection

Basalt fiber is a new type of green and environmentally friendly material that can be used in environmental protection for the filtration, adsorption, and purification of harmful media and gases. Particularly in high-temperature filtration, the long-term use temperature of basalt fiber is 650∘C, far superior to traditional filter materials, making it the preferred material for filter substrates, filter materials, and high-temperature felts.

Applications of Basalt Fiber Reinforced Plastics

Composite materials reinforced with basalt fiber can be used in national defense applications such as bulletproof armor, radomes, gun barrel thermal protection, and stealth materials for radar absorption and transmission. They can also be used in civilian applications such as vehicle and ship structures, pressure-resistant and corrosion-resistant pipes, wound cylinders, and printed circuit boards.