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Basalt fiber boasts a simple manufacturing process and a single raw material. Crushed natural basalt ore is melted and homogenized in a high-temperature kiln (1400-1550℃), then cooled, drawn from a platinum-rhodium alloy spinneret, and finally wound into fiber. It exhibits excellent mechanical properties, temperature resistance, and chemical stability. Following ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber, carbon fiber, and aramid fiber, basalt fiber is another high-performance fiber that China is prioritizing for development. Due to its pure natural, additive-free, and low-cost raw material, and its production process that generates no waste gas, basalt fiber has earned the reputation of "turning stone into gold." In recent years, it has been widely applied in various fields, including transportation, construction, environmental protection, chemical engineering, military, and aerospace.

Basalt fiber is an inorganic silicate fiber that boasts natural compatibility with silicate materials like cement and concrete. This inherent compatibility gives it a significant technical advantage in areas such as asphalt overlays, cement reinforcement, and concrete reinforcement.

Currently, there are two main continuous basalt fiber manufacturing technologies developed independently in China: flame method and all-electric melting method.

https://www.basaltbest.com/The concept of producing fibers from basalt is not new. The first patent for basalt fiber manufacturing was issued in 1923, and during the 1950s and 1960s, extensive research focused on its military applications. Even leading glass fiber producers explored basalt’s potential at the time, though they shifted their R&D focus in the 1970s to higher-performance glass fibers like S-2. Over the decades, interest in basalt fiber composites has fluctuated, but in recent years, it has surged steadily.  

In recent years, the frequent occurrence of fire accidents in the external wall insulation system of buildings has exposed the major defects of incompatibility between fire prevention and energy saving of traditional insulation materials. Traditional materials such as rock wool board absorb water, expand and have low strength, while organic insulation materials (such as XPS, EPS) are flammable and have a short lifespan, which cannot meet the long-term safety requirements of high-rise buildings and green buildings. But the emergence of basalt fiber board is a good solution to this problem.

Environmental noise pollution has become a critical issue affecting human health and quality of life, with industrial equipment (e.g., variable-frequency compressors) being a major contributor. Traditional noise-absorbing materials (e.g., cotton fiber felt) exhibit limited performance in high-frequency ranges and are susceptible to environmental factors like temperature. Basalt fiber, a high-performance inorganic material with a porous structure and superior acoustic properties, has emerged as an ideal alternative for noise control applications.  

Continuous basalt fiber production adopts a "one-step process", characterized by a simplified workflow but high technical barriers. Compared to carbon fiber production, continuous basalt fiber consumes significantly less energy (less than 1/10 of carbon fiber's energy consumption) and emits no CO₂, SO₂, or other harmful gases, making it an environmentally friendly and low-carbon production method. The primary thermal equipment for continuous basalt fiber production is the furnace, which is categorized into crucible furnaces and tank furnaces. 

Basalt and carbon fiber have an important role to play in a variety of fields, and the two materials are not completely competitive, but complementary.

Basalt fiber geogrid is a kind of civil engineering reinforcing material made of basalt fiber, which belongs to the category of geosynthetics. It is made by melting basalt ore at high temperature and then drawing it into fibers, and then forming a grid-like structure by weaving, coating (such as asphalt) and other processes, which is widely used in roads, railroads, dams and other projects to enhance the stability and durability of the structure.

When comparing individual chemical or mechanical properties, high-tech fibers with superior characteristics to continuous basalt fiber (CBF) can be found. However, when considering comprehensive performance, CBF emerges as the optimal "versatile" fiber. Beyond its high strength, high modulus, and advanced technical features, CBF demonstrates exceptional resistance to acid/alkali corrosion, extreme temperatures, radiation, and oxidation. It also exhibits excellent thermal/acoustic insulation, filtration efficiency, flame retardancy, high compressive and shear strength, along with remarkable adaptability to diverse environments. These properties make it effective in reducing structural weight while forming novel composite materials.