Basalt fiber is an inorganic material from widely available rocks such as basalt, diabase, amphibolite, and gabbro. It is produced by melting these rocks at high temperatures of 1450–1500°C and rapidly drawing them into fibers. Basalt fiber boasts several excellent characteristics: it is environmentally friendly, stable at high temperatures, multifunctional, cost-effective, and easy to mix and handle. Specifically, its features include:
Environmental Friendliness: Basalt fiber is produced from natural volcanic rocks like basalt, which do not contain substances harmful to the environment or human health. Basalt fiber achieves high chemical and thermal stability without additives, making it an eco-friendly option.
High-Temperature Stability: When used in asphalt mixtures, basalt fiber must withstand temperatures of 180–200°C without undergoing physical or chemical changes. After being placed in an oven at 200°C for 5 hours and then cooled, basalt fiber remains stable, showing no color change or deterioration, which indicates its excellent high-temperature stability.
Multifunctionality: Basalt fiber can be termed a "multi-functional" fiber due to its strong adhesion to asphalt, high corrosion resistance, thermal and electrical insulation properties, sound insulation, high tensile and shear strength, high elastic modulus, and excellent chemical stability. It adapts well to harsh environments and has a wide temperature range of use.
Cost-Effectiveness: Basalt fiber is priced similarly to organic fibers but significantly cheaper than steel, carbon, and other materials.
