Basalt Fibers: Difference between revisions

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Basalt fibers are becoming more popular for various structural engineering applications. Global production capacity is increasing. There was a lot of experience with this material in the Soviet Union, where basalt fibers were used mostly for military applications. Ex-Soviet countries are still the place where most of the experience and production capacity is (Ukraine in particular). Given that the Soviet Union disintegrated almost 20 years ago, much of this information should be in the public domain now, but may not be so easily accessible.  
Basalt fibers are made of volcanic rock that is melted and spun. Global production capacity is increasing as they are becoming more popular for various structural engineering applications. Available products include rovings, ropes, textiles, mesh, rebar and others. One advantage over steel rebar is that basalt-based rebar will not rust.  


==External Links==
==Origin==  
*Detailed background article about the material: http://www.compositesworld.com/articles/basalt-fibers-alternative-to-glass
This material was first developed in the Soviet Union, mostly for military applications. Ex-Soviet countries are still where most of the experience and production capacity is (Ukraine in particular). Given that the Soviet Union disintegrated almost 20 years ago, much of this information should be in the public domain now, but may not be so easily accessible. Those few companies that have the experience with this material are unlikely to share it.  
*Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basalt_fiber
*More background, here with wind energy in mind: http://windgateenergy.com/?page_id=16


==Videos from the [http://www.monolithic.com/ '''Monolithic Dome Institute''']==
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Recent video from the [http://www.monolithic.com/ '''Monolithic Dome Institute'''], mentions basalt fibers:
==External Links==
<html>
*Excellent [http://www.monolithic.com/stories/basalt-fiber-rebar overview article] on MDI website
<center>
*Detailed [http://www.compositesworld.com/articles/basalt-fibers-alternative-to-glass background article] about the material
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*Wikipedia: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basalt_fiber Basalt Fiber]
</center>
*More [http://windgateenergy.com/?page_id=16 background, here with wind energy in mind]
</html>


==Some links to suppliers==
==Some links to suppliers==
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*There is also a German-Georgian company, apparently the only manufacturer of basalt fibers in Europe: [http://www.deutsche-basalt-faser.de/ Deutsche Basalt Faser GmbH]
*There is also a German-Georgian company, apparently the only manufacturer of basalt fibers in Europe: [http://www.deutsche-basalt-faser.de/ Deutsche Basalt Faser GmbH]


==Will it scale down ?==
==Will it scale down?==
Let's not kid ourselves, this is a high-tech, difficult process. Not all basalts work, and the material has to be heated up to 1,400°C (2,550°F). This all sounds very capital intensive. Still, this can potentially be made to work on the small scale, and the fibers could displace some steel and even carbon fibers.  
While lava rock is common and cheap, the melting and spinning process may be difficult. Not all basalts work, and the material has to be heated up to 1,400°C (2,550°F), requiring natural gas or other energy source. This all sounds very capital intensive. Still, this can potentially be made to work on the small scale, and the fibers could displace some steel and even carbon fibers.  


==Product Ecology==
==Product Ecology==
*'''Biogas''' -- methane from biogas can be used to heat the basalt.  
* Basalt can be heated with methane from '''[[biogas]]''' and also (at least pre-heated) with [[concentrating_solar_power|concentrating solar power]].  
*'''[[Gasifier]]''' -- alternatively, [http://www.openfarmtech.org/index.php/Compressed_Fuel_Gas syngas] can be used for melting.  
*'''[[gasifier]]''' and [[Compressed_Fuel_Gas|syngas]] can be used for melting.  
*'''[[Induction Furnace]]''' -- can melt glass, so it should also be able to melt basalt.
*'''[[Induction Furnace|induction furnace]]''' can melt glass, so it should also be able to melt basalt.  
*'''Waste heat''' -- many uses:  
* these heat sources can all be used in combination
**in cold climates, for heating winter greenhouses, other space heating
* there are many uses for '''waste heat''': space heating, drying biomass, making steam
**drying biomass for pyrolysis and [[biochar]]
 
**steam generation
==Alternatives==
It is not clear that the properties of basalt fibers are really required for most applications. Bio-based fibers may also perform well, at much lower cost and embodied energy (e.g. [[hemp]] fibers).


[[Category:Materials]]
[[Category:Materials]]
[[Category:Housing and construction]]
[[Category:Housing and construction]]

Latest revision as of 15:23, 29 August 2016

Basalt fibers are made of volcanic rock that is melted and spun. Global production capacity is increasing as they are becoming more popular for various structural engineering applications. Available products include rovings, ropes, textiles, mesh, rebar and others. One advantage over steel rebar is that basalt-based rebar will not rust.

Origin

This material was first developed in the Soviet Union, mostly for military applications. Ex-Soviet countries are still where most of the experience and production capacity is (Ukraine in particular). Given that the Soviet Union disintegrated almost 20 years ago, much of this information should be in the public domain now, but may not be so easily accessible. Those few companies that have the experience with this material are unlikely to share it.

Videos from the Monolithic Dome Institute

External Links

Some links to suppliers

Will it scale down?

While lava rock is common and cheap, the melting and spinning process may be difficult. Not all basalts work, and the material has to be heated up to 1,400°C (2,550°F), requiring natural gas or other energy source. This all sounds very capital intensive. Still, this can potentially be made to work on the small scale, and the fibers could displace some steel and even carbon fibers.

Product Ecology

  • Basalt can be heated with methane from biogas and also (at least pre-heated) with concentrating solar power.
  • gasifier and syngas can be used for melting.
  • induction furnace can melt glass, so it should also be able to melt basalt.
  • these heat sources can all be used in combination
  • there are many uses for waste heat: space heating, drying biomass, making steam

Alternatives

It is not clear that the properties of basalt fibers are really required for most applications. Bio-based fibers may also perform well, at much lower cost and embodied energy (e.g. hemp fibers).

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