China's Basalt Fiber Industry Breakthrough Boosts Aerospace Development

2025-09-12

Technological Breakthroughs

Innovative Spinneret Design: The optimized trapezoidal inner cavity and precise distributed temperature control of the spinneret have enabled the stable production of ultrafine fibers with diameters less than 6μm, reducing the fiber diameter fluctuation coefficient.
Gradient Melt-Drawing Process: Mingshi New Material's gradient melt-drawing process has enhanced the tensile strength and elastic modulus of the fibers.
Surface Modification Technology:This technology imparts biocompatibility, biomimetic osteointegration, and Corrosion Resistance to the fibers.

Aerospace Applications

Material Performance: Basalt fiberoffers a wide range of long-term use temperatures and strong instantaneous high-temperature resistance, maintaining structural stability under extreme temperature differences. Its High Strength and lightweight properties enable weight reduction and improved impact resistance for spacecraft structural components.
Thermal Protection: Basalt fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composites are used for the thermal protection layer of re-entry capsules, reducing weight and thermal conductivity to control temperature fluctuations inside the cabin. The thermal insulation layer of the Chang'e 6 lander's cabin also improved the temperature stability of its equipment.
Spacecraft Structures and Components: Lightweight structural components, such as satellite brackets, can reduce weight, extend fatigue life, and lower launch costs. High-temperature-resistant components can increase engine operating temperatures, improve fuel efficiency, and extend blade life, making them suitable for rocket fuel delivery systems.
In-Situ Lunar Manufacturing: Basalt fiber can be used to produce building materials from local resources on the Moon, reducing transportation costs. The thermal protection layer of spacesuits, made from this fiber, can withstand extreme environments, shield against cosmic rays, reduce weight, and improve mobility.

Industrial Ecosystem

Production and Cost Competitiveness: China accounts for most of the world's basalt fiber production, with substantial capacity and an increasing proportion of ultrafine fibers. Its strong cost competitiveness is leading to a continuous increase in market penetration within the high-end composite materials market.
Technological Innovation and Standards: Continuous breakthroughs in core technologies are being driven by collaborations between multiple research teams to promote industrialization. China has applied for a large number of related patents, leading the way in establishing international standards and creating technological barriers.
Global Market Expansion: The products are exported to many countries and hold a significant market share in various fields. Mingshi New Material has established a service center in Germany to engage in international cooperation projects.

Future Trends

Intelligent Materials: Intelligent thermo-responsive materials can automatically adjust their thermal insulation properties, while self-healing coating technology can improve reliability in the space environment.
Advanced Manufacturing: 3D printing with lunar regolith fiber can enable the rapid construction of lunar bases. Ultra-high temperature ceramic matrix composites are suitable for crewed Mars spacecraft.
Sustainable Development: A closed-loop recycling technology can increase the recovery rate of discarded fibers and maintain the strength of recycled fibers. The adaptation of bio-based resins can prevent the accumulation of space debris.

The mass production of thousand-ton micron-scale ultrafine basalt fiber marks a leap for China in the field of high-performance inorganic fibers. Its application in the aerospace sector addresses the performance bottlenecks of traditional materials. With continued technological iteration and capacity expansion, basalt fiber is poised to become a mainstream choice for aerospace materials, providing core support for China's journey to becoming a major space power and achieving its "dual carbon" goals.