Basalt fiber is a continuous filament made with predetermined length and thickness to suit various applications.
The thickness of the filaments can vary from 3 up to 90 microns although the most commonly used ones are from 9 to 16 microns.
Basalt fibers are excellent thermal and acoustic insulators, maintaining mechanical properties even at high temperatures, and are chemically stable in both acid and alkaline environments.
The fiber is usually coated with a binder to make it compatible with other materials and elements with which the final product must coexist. Basalt fiber is recommended for the production of non-woven fabrics, veils, brakes, gaskets, clutches, fireproof plates and mattresses.
It is also widely used for reinforcing concrete and plastics as a replacement for polypropylene both for its insulating properties and for its natural origin, which makes it more sustainable compared to other petroleum-derived products.
It is an excellent substitute for steel fiber for its insulating properties, for carbon fiber for its lower cost, and for glass fiber for its better environmental impact.