PlastiComp adds that these new long fibre products offer a significant increase in performance over short basalt fibre filled materials and are available in multiple resins matrices with 30-60% by weight fibre loadings.
“During development of these new basalt LFTs, we saw across the board increases in mechanical properties that were as much as 40% higher than chopped fibre grades.” said Eric Wollan, business development manager at PlastiComp. “That is a huge boost which makes PlastiComp’s long fibre variants a serious contender for those considering basalt.”
“As an innovator in long fibre composite development, PlastiComp is always examining new additives and processes,” said Wollan. “We have had interest from the automotive and construction industries for basalt fibre materials because of its ability to resist corrosion.”
Derived from volcanic rock, the beneficial characteristics of basalt fibre include excellent corrosion resistance, high abrasion resistance, and inherent fire resistance. Basalt fibre is known for retaining its performance at cold temperatures and for not being degraded by UV or electromagnetic radiation. It has uses in marine environments, concrete contact, and underground applications because of its high corrosion resistance.