What is Basalt?
Basalt is a natural rock formed from cooled volcanic lava and can be found in many regions around the world including the ocean floor. It is characterized by its dark color, typically black, and smooth, glassy surface. This rock is known for its density, hardness and high compression strength. Additionally, its resistance to weathering and erosion make it a durable rock that can be used in various industries like production of basalt fiber, monuments and sculptures, decorative stones and certain type of glass.
Basalt fiber is a versatile material made from this rock, by melting it at high temperatures and spinning it into fibers. These fibers are known for their high strength, durability, chemical resistance, and weathering resistance, which make them a cost-efficient option for a variety of construction and manufacturing applications. These include reinforcing concrete and asphalt, making lightweight, high-strength products such as structural members, pipes and boards, insulation for buildings and industrial plants, as well as a composite material in construction of buildings, bridges and other infrastructures, geotextile for reinforcing soil in construction of roads, railways and other infrastructures and erosion control and slope stabilization.
Basalt Fiber Reinforcement: Basalt fibers are added to the concrete mixture to provide extra strength and durability. The fibers are mixed into the wet concrete before it is poured, and they bond with the cement to create a stronger, more durable concrete.
Basalt Mesh Reinforcement: Basalt mesh is a flexible, pre-fabricated reinforcement material that is made from basalt fibers. It is used to reinforce concrete in areas where traditional steel reinforcement is not suitable, such as in seismic-resistant or crack-resistant construction. The mesh is placed in the formwork before the concrete is poured, and it is embedded in the concrete to provide extra strength and stability.
Basalt Rebar: Basalt rebar is a type of reinforcement bar made from basalt fibers. It is used in place of traditional steel rebar to provide extra strength and durability to concrete structures. Basalt rebar is resistant to corrosion, which makes it ideal for use in marine and other harsh environments.
All of these methods use the strength and durability of basalt fibers to reinforce concrete and improve its overall performance.
Basalt Fiber Reinforced Polymer (BFRP) – A composite material made from basalt fibers and a polymer resin, used as reinforcement for concrete, masonry and wood structures.
Basalt Laminates – Thin layers of basalt fiber that are laminated together to form a stronger material used for cladding and flooring.
Basalt Insulation – Basalt fibers can be used to create insulation materials with high thermal resistance and low thermal conductivity.
Basalt Pipes – Basalt fibers can be used to create pipes that are strong, durable, and resistant to corrosion.
Basalt Boards – Basalt fibers can be used to make lightweight, high-strength boards that are suitable for use in construction and other industrial applications.
Basalt Geotextile – basalt fibers can be used to create geotextile materials which are used to reinforce soil in construction of roads, railways and other infrastructures
Basalt rebar- basalt fibers can be used to make reinforcement bar that is stronger and more durable than traditional steel rebar, and also can be used to replace steel rebar in construction.
These materials are often used as an alternative to traditional building materials, such as steel and wood, due to their strength, durability, and resistance to weathering and erosion.
Basalt fibers can be used to create insulation materials with high thermal resistance and low thermal conductivity. These insulation materials are made by spinning basalt fibers into a yarn or mat, and then using these fibers to create insulation products such as:
Basalt Wool Insulation – this insulation is made by spinning basalt fibers into a fine wool-like material, it is then used as insulation for walls, roofs, and floors.
Basalt Fiber Mat Insulation – this insulation is made by layering basalt fibers into a mat, it is then used to insulate buildings, industrial plants, and other structures.
Basalt Fiber Blanket Insulation – this insulation is made by spinning basalt fibers into a blanket, it is then used to insulate large areas such as walls, roofs, and floors.
These insulation materials made from basalt fibers offer several advantages over traditional insulation materials like fiberglass, such as higher thermal resistance, fire resistance, and chemical resistance. Basalt fibers also are resistant to moisture, mold and mildew, so insulation made from basalt will not rot or deteriorate over time.
Basalt fibers can be used to create a variety of ropes and textiles that have a wide range of applications. Some examples of ropes and textiles made from basalt fibers include:
Basalt Rope: This is a strong and durable rope that is made by twisting or braiding basalt fibers together. It can be used in a variety of applications, such as marine and industrial applications, as well as in construction and transportation.
Basalt Fabric: This is a strong and durable textile that is made by weaving or knitting basalt fibers together. It can be used to make a variety of products, such as protective clothing, industrial filters, and reinforcement materials.
Basalt Geotextile: Basalt fibers can be used to create geotextile materials which are used to reinforce soil in construction of roads, railways and other infrastructures.
Basalt Fiber Yarn: This is a strong and durable yarn that is made by spinning basalt fibers together. It can be used to create a variety of textiles, such as fabric, rope, and twine.
All of these ropes and textiles made from basalt fibers offer high strength, durability, and chemical resistance, which make them suitable for various applications. The fibers also offer high temperature resistance and can withstand harsh environmental conditions such as moisture, UV radiation and temperature fluctuations.
Basalt fiber is known for its high strength and durability. The specific strength and modulus of basalt fibers can vary depending on the manufacturing process and the composition of the basalt rock used to make the fibers.
Tensile strength: Basalt fibers have a tensile strength that ranges from 200 to 550 MPa (Mega Pascal), which is comparable to or even higher than that of other fibers such as glass or carbon fibers.
Young’s modulus: Basalt fibers have a Young’s modulus (a measure of the stiffness of a material) that ranges from 40 to 80 GPa (Giga Pascal), which is similar to that of carbon fibers.
Compressive strength: Basalt fibers show a compressive strength from 300 to 400 MPa, which is higher than that of glass fibers.
Flexural strength: Basalt fibers have a flexural strength of about 400 MPa, which is similar to that of carbon fibers.
Basalt fibers have a reputation for being chemically resistant and long-lasting. They can withstand exposure to various chemicals, including acids, alkalis, and salts. This makes them an ideal choice for use in harsh environments, such as in the chemical and marine industries, as well as construction projects that are faced with harsh weather conditions.
Acids: Basalt fibers are resistant to a variety of acids, including hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, and nitric acid. They can withstand exposure to these chemicals without degrading or losing their strength.
Alkalis: Basalt fibers are also resistant to alkalis, such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide. They can withstand exposure to these chemicals without degrading or losing their strength.
Salts: Basalt fibers are resistant to salts, such as sea water, and can withstand exposure to these chemicals without degrading or losing their strength.
Fire resistance: Basalt fibers have a high melting point, which makes them resistant to fire. They do not release toxic gases when exposed to fire and will not contribute to the spread of flames, making them a safe option for construction.
Weathering: Basalt fibers are not affected by UV rays, weathering, or other environmental factors, making them a good choice for outdoor construction applications.
Basalt fibers are a sustainable option due to the abundance of the raw material, low energy consumption during production and long service life of products. They also have low carbon footprint and are recyclable and biodegradable, reducing waste and promoting sustainability.
Natural and abundant raw material: Basalt rock is a natural and abundant resource that can be found all over the world. This means that basalt fibers can be produced locally, reducing the need for transportation and minimizing the carbon footprint of the manufacturing process.
Low energy consumption: The process of producing basalt fibers requires less energy than the production of other fibers, such as glass or carbon fibers. This means that the production of basalt fibers has a lower environmental impact.
Recyclability: Basalt fibers can be recycled and reused, which reduces waste and conserves resources.
Biodegradability: Basalt fibers are biodegradable, which means they do not contribute to pollution or leave behind harmful chemicals when they degrade.
Durability: Basalt fibers have a long service life, which means they can be used for a long time, reducing the need for replacement and minimizing waste.
All of these characteristics make basalt fibers an environmentally friendly and sustainable option, especially compared to other fibers such as glass or carbon fibers.
The abundance of the raw material, basalt rock, which is found all over the world, makes it inexpensive to obtain. The production process of basalt fibers also requires less energy than other fibers, leading to lower energy costs. Additionally, the long service life of basaltic products reduces the need for replacement and maintenance, saving costs over time. Furthermore, the recyclability and biodegradability of basalt fibers helps reduce waste and conserves resources, contributing to cost savings. All of these characteristics make basalt fibers a cost-efficient option for a wide range of applications in construction, industrial, and other fields.