4 ms·
Isn't this basically fiberglass?
by smlacy 11mo ago
Isn't this basically fiberglass?
- bennyfreshness 11mo agoBasalt is stronger than glass fibers (made from silica / quartz / sand), but not as strong as carbon fiber. Also, its more expensive than glass, but less expensive than carbon. Generally considered eco friendly. Interestingly where carbon fiber's failure mode is instant, failing catastrophically (like say chalk), basalt will be more gradual (like say wood), in some use cases that's an advantage. Overall though its still not mass produced, uncertain if it will ever reach scale. If interested in fibers and composites, the YouTube channel Easy Composites is really interesting / educational. For example you can use flax fiber. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD98L9XlCTU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD98L9XlCTU
- exmadscientist 11mo agoIt's a very good alternative to carbon fiber. It also has one very interesting property that carbon fiber doesn't: it's not conductive. This means, for example, that you can put it in an MRI machine and get signal back. You can't do that with carbon fiber, which shields the return RF signals and gives you a dark image, but doesn't damage anything. Basalt weave composites are basically completely transparent on an MRI. (For the same reasons, it also can be microwaved successfully. Carbon fiber can not be microwaved. Do not microwave real carbon fiber or carbon fiber composites.)
- mring33621 11mo agoAnd it's kinda pretty!
- rbanffy 11mo ago> Interestingly where carbon fiber's failure mode is instant, failing catastrophically (like say chalk), basalt will be more gradual (like say wood), in some use cases that's an advantage. So, should we use it to make a submarine to visit the Titanic?
- fainpul 11mo agoIt looks visually similar to woven Kevlar, which is a bit stronger. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevlar https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevlar
- RantyDave 11mo agoQuite. I don't see why we need this in a world that already has Kevlar, Dyneema and Carbon.
- ggm 11mo agoPrice performance. If the failure mode is slow, then my sport (rowing) could love this for cheaper boat construction which is stronger than fibreglass but cheaper than carbon fibre. I imagine surfboards and kayaks could work too. Being flexible and non conducting is useful.
- 83 11mo agoExactly this. I make kayaks and basalt would be the perfect middle ground between FG and carbon where the boat will get dinged up in rivers. Unfortunately its nearly impossible to obtain in small quantities for a hobbyist.
- pfix 11mo agoSee uses here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basalt_fiber https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basalt_fiber I am no material scientist, so cannot comment on actual facts why it might be better in specific cases than Kevlar, Dyneema or Carbon. But from experience there's a lot I don't know and especially in engineering there's a lot to consider when putting materials under stressful conditions that might put this in in a specific spot superior to those mentioned above.
- nirse 11mo agoIt seems to be more heat resistant?
- Cthulhu_ 11mo agoI can imagine (I have no clue about this, I just watch manufacturing videos) that this is easier to mass produce. A less refined version of this is used to make Rockwool, an insulation material similar to fiber glass. Melt the stuff, extrude it, ????, profit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6FWPTZjwLo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6FWPTZjwLo