Applications > Composite materials > Basalt prepregs

Research studies have shown that Basalt fibres have a strong potential to replace E glass, especially when resistance to extreme conditions is required.
Fibroline dry impregnation process can be used for basalt fibres composite materials made with thermoplastic or thermoset resins.

Fibroline superiority:

- Possibility to impregnate in a dry way materials thanks to the use of fine powders.
- Fibroline process can lead to raw material and energy savings, and to innovative products

- Chopped strand mats
- Continuous fiber mats
- Needlefelt mats
- Woven
- Knitted
- Braided fabrics…

Powders:

- Thermoplastic : low cost (PP, PA, PES, CBT…) or high performance resin (PEEK, PPS, PEI….).
- Thermoset: polyimide, epoxy, polyester, vinylester, phenolic….
And also
- Functional powders of different kinds such as: fire retardant, intumescent, microsphere….

Advantages of such impregnation process:

- Flexibility of the process
- Properties can be easily adjusted
- Dry process without solvent
- Homogeneity of impregnation
- Possibility of high thickness impregnation in one step (avoid superposition)

Properties:

Properties are adjusted through raw material nature and content of powder versus basalt.

Two main kinds of materials:
- Resin matrix - high content of resin: composite with high mechanical properties (stiffness, strength, impact energy…)
- resin binding - low content of resin: chemical bonded glass preforms ready for resin impregnation

Basalt fibres compared to glass fibres have among others:
- Good thermal properties (thermal, flame resistance and thermal insulation)
- Good electrical properties (high resistivity)
- better alcali resistance

Applications
Structural composite materials for different applications:
- automotive and transportation
- nautism
- pipes
- building
- Industry…..