Basalt Fibers: Difference between revisions
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Basalt fibers are becoming more popular for various structural engineering applications. | 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. 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 [http://www.monolithic.com/ '''Monolithic Dome Institute''']== | |||
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<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed//N18HcPfKv1E" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> | |||
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==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
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*Wikipedia: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basalt_fiber Basalt Fiber] | *Wikipedia: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basalt_fiber Basalt Fiber] | ||
*More [http://windgateenergy.com/?page_id=16 background, here with wind energy in mind] | *More [http://windgateenergy.com/?page_id=16 background, here with wind energy in mind] | ||
==Some links to suppliers== | ==Some links to suppliers== | ||
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==Will it scale down ?== | ==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). 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== | ||
*''' | * Basalt can be heated with methane from '''[[biogas]]''' and also (at least in part) with [[concentrating_solar_power|concentrating solar power]] | ||
*'''[[ | *'''[[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. | ||
*''' | * these can all be used in combination | ||
* many uses for '''waste heat''': space heating, drying biomass, steam | |||
[[Category:Materials]] | [[Category:Materials]] | ||
[[Category:Housing and construction]] | [[Category:Housing and construction]] | ||
Revision as of 11:00, 6 February 2011
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. 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
- Detailed background article about the material
- Wikipedia: Basalt Fiber
- More background, here with wind energy in mind
Some links to suppliers
- Apparelsearch: Basalt (directory)
- Technobasalt (Kiev, Ukraine)
- Basalt Fiber and Composite Materials (Ukraine/China)
- Sudaglass (Texas/Russia)
- There is also a German-Georgian company, apparently the only manufacturer of basalt fibers in Europe: Deutsche Basalt Faser GmbH
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). 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 in part) 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 can all be used in combination
- many uses for waste heat: space heating, drying biomass, steam