In the construction of bridges and roads, basalt has been used since time immemorial. In a later period, the scope of application of this material expands, it is used in the production of floor tiles and anti-abrasive coatings. After decades, in fact, it was found that not all basaltic rocks are chemically identical to each other, and only that material with the necessary physical properties and a certain chemical composition is useful for the formation of basalt fibers of different diameters.
Creating basalt fiber
Researchers from Germany, France, Great Britain, the USA and Italy after the Second World War made the first attempt to create basalt fiber. However, only in the fifties and sixties were the initial significant results obtained in Prague and Moscow.
Another interest in basalt was noted in subsequent decades, especially in those countries that had a large supply of basalt rock. At this time, the Soviet Union was studying the potential of the technology for creating basalt fiber so that it (technology) could be used for military purposes and in aircraft manufacturing.
Also at this time in Kiev, studies are being conducted that have virtually no budgetary constraints, which are successful: a technology was developed that was kept secret. It was declassified only in the early nineties, after which development began on the use of it in civil engineering.
Nowadays, production of basalt fabric has been established in Russia and Ukraine, in the CIS countries, as well as in China. Basalt fiber obtained is mainly purchased by companies from Japan and used in the automotive sector for the production of exhaust systems and other parts, as well as for the manufacture of tripods for cameras and snowboards.
Production technology
The four main stages involve the technology of production of basalt fabric:
- pre-processed basalt gravel (crushed, washed, dried);
- basalt chips are melted in a melting furnace in order to produce a continuous fiber in the form of a complex filament;
- continuous fiber is formed;
- fabric is woven or other products are made, it depends on the sphere in which the fiber will be used in the future.
The characteristic dark color gives the stone a considerable amount of iron oxide in the basalt rock, which also increases the homogenization time, the crystallization temperature, and the viscosity curve turns out steeper compared to fiberglass. For these moments, special furnaces of a special design are used, this is done so that all conditions are maintained that support the molten mass in a homogeneous state at different stages of the technological process. The vertical renewal method is used in a typical plant where continuous mineral fiber is produced.
At the final stage of processing the material after the basalt fiber is obtained in the form of a complex of threads, other technologies are used that are similar to those used in factories producing textile yarns for fabric.
Characteristic
The characteristics of TBK-100 basalt fabric significantly distinguish it from similar materials - such as, for example, silicate fiber and fiberglass. Also, it differs from them by high strength and the ability to use it in the widest range of positive and negative temperatures.
Due to its environmental friendliness, strength and durability, heat resistance, products from basalt fabric have been widely used in manufacturing and in the construction industry, where slabs and basalt fiber mats are used, chopped basalt fiber. And for road construction, a reinforcing geogrid is used.
Properties of basalt fabric
Fabrics woven from continuous basalt yarn represent a fabric that has a different thickness, weight, pattern and type of weaving. It is made in accordance with the requirements for operation.
Basalt fabric has the following properties:
- she has good adhesion;
- flame retardant, not flammable;
- has excellent tensile strength;
- at temperatures up to 982 degrees maintains integrity;
- It is resistant to electromagnetic radiation.
Products
The use of basalt fabric is widely known in various fields - from the construction industry to sewing clothes.
Such products include:
- fire curtains for fire localization and fire protection;
- filtering material for dust collectors and factory chimneys;
- protection against destruction by roof fire;
- fire resistant clothing;
- composite reinforced materials;
- electromagnetic screens.
Special properties
The use of basalt fabric in the reinforcement of composite and fiberglass structures provides a fairly good level of strength. And thanks to TBK-100, it is perfectly impregnated with epoxy and polyester resins.