Basalt

Basalt Fiber

Basalt, a volcanic rock formed From the rapid cooling of lava basaltic, represents one of the most common types of igneous rocks, found in many parts of the world. Its distinctive fine-grained texture and generally dark color, ranging from gray to black, characterize it. Composed mainly of minerals such as plagioclase feldspar, pyroxene and olivine, basalt provides a rich and robust geological foundation. Despite the great availability of this rock in the mines and quarries around the world, only a dozen of them presents a basalt whose composition has been analyzed and qualified as suitable for the production of thin continuous filaments.

Through a process of extraction, melting and extrusion, basalt rock is transformed into fiber, creating a material that is 100% natural and sustainable, enriched with numerous high-performance properties of natural origin. This basalt fiber can be processed into a wide range of by-products, including fiber, yarn, fabric, bars and meshes, making it ideal for varied uses in engineering, industrial and architectural fields.
This organic material has unique natural characteristics:
  • Sustainability: it is a natural organic material, inherently sustainable.
  • High tensile strength: superior to that of glass fiber, steel, copper, aramid and polypropylene.
  • Excellent thermal stability: maintains stable properties from -260 degrees up to 650 degrees, surpassing any other competing fiber.
  • High insulating capacity: fire-resistant material with excellent heat retention capacity.
  • Excellent resistance to acids and alkali: Completely corrosion-resistant, preferred over steel, copper and glass, for applications in humid environments or near water.
  • Non-magnetic and non-conductive.
  • Not combustible.
  • Non-toxic.
  • Non-allergenic.
BASALT GLASS CARBON
Sustainability and environmental impact. High sustainability-low impact Low sustainability-high impact Low sustainability-high impact
Greenhouse gas dispersion NO, 0% dispersion from raw material to finished product Yes, about 30-40% of the gross weight of the raw material disperses into gas and dust
Power and water consumption during the production process LOW HIGH HIGH
Tensile strength (MPa) 4000-4900 3400-4500
Heat resistance (maximum use temperature) 982°C 650°C
Melting point 1450°C 1120°C
Thermal stability (temperature at which you can work) From -260°C to 820°C 480°C
Fire resistance 1200°C for 2 hours maintains 90% of characteristics 1000°C for 2 hours partially molten
Insulation properties (thermal) W/m K 0.031-0.038 0.034-0.04
Corrosion resistance Inalterable Alterable Alterable
Chemical resistance (acids) Inalterable - weight loss= -7.1% Alterable-weight loss= -38.5%
Chemical Resistance (alkali) Inalterable - weight loss= -0.15% Alterable-weight loss= -4.5%
Resistance in wet environments Inalterable= 0% water absorption Alterable
Magnetic resistance (not conductivity) Non-conductive Conductive
Durability High durability Medium durability
Density (kg/m3) 2600-2800 2500-2600
Last deformation 3%-3,5% 4%-5%
Residual resistance (max temperature) 600°C 200°C
Cost efficiency

The applications of basalt

Basalt is used in the production of composite materials, in industrial thermal insulation and in the production of fire-resistant fabrics.
In the construction industry, it plays a crucial role as reinforcement for concrete, in road paving and seismic structures. Its versatile properties also make it the material of choice for various other applications.

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Basalt and its Positive Impacts in terms of Sustainability and ESG

Basalt, a natural volcanic rock, is emerging as a crucial resource in the landscape of sustainability and corporate ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) strategy. This versatile material offers multiple benefits that extend beyond its physical characteristics.

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