I was serching, but didn't find any answers about using basalt fiber in surfboard building?
I've started to build my first board and thats skimboard xps core with stringer + maple veneer on bottom and deck...I have a factory in my town that produce such kind of fiber, so I decided to try it...I put 6oz basalt fiber + 1/32" veneer on botoom and extra layer of fiber tape on the rails for this moment. Planning to put the same on a deck + 1 layer of 6oz glass on bottom and deck, think that's would be enough, becouse basalt fiber is getting close to high strength S-glass. I would get very stiff construction..think so
Basalt fiber made from rock by melting it to 1400 C. The molten rock is then extruded through small nozzles to produce continuous filaments of basalt fiber...Another main feature is the price about 1.5$ squer meter of 6 oz that was attractive for me... And of course grait characteristics that manufacturer expresses...So I found that it would be nice experiment, if this material is really will work well....The dry basalt fiber looks stiffer and stronger then e-glass with the same density
basalt is less stiffer then carbon in many times, it's more like S2 glass...think just new product on accessible market...
Delamination due to the overheating on direct sunlight? Think because of it's rock and melting begins near 1400 C there's no thermal expansion with normal temperature...or I missing smth?
I have BIG question about the stiff cork of laminat with soft foam core? I mean how does it work and how to avoid delamination of that cork?
About surfing...Our main spots on the Black sea, there's not enough power in waves, so we go kiting, windsurfing and when there's no wind you can skim...In summer we ride without wetsuits...In winter 5 mm neoprene is good choise.
My next project is windsurf board with sandwich construction, So that's why I'am asking about mechanics of stiff laminat and eps core, how to avoid delamination?
there was a thread or two about the basalt fabrics a couple years ago here, and it seemed to have some good properties… I will see if I can track down that thread in the archives and post a link.
(edit) OK I found a few of the old discussions, from 2004-2006:
Anybody have results (good or bad) with this? It seems since it is turned molten, is it still not a glass or glass like? Does this mean the same 'ol itching? Plus, the de-lam factor still arises in exposure to heat. Delbert…Call home.
ps. to the geo rockheads, is this not another form of Obsidian?
I think I (or another version of me) contributed some geo stuff to the original thread years ago...
From a geologic standpoint, obsidian and basalt cannot originate from the same melt (magma) as they are not chemically compatible. Basalt is classified as a basic volcanic rock because it does not contain free silica (quartz) or silca rich minerals. Obsidian is an acidic volcanic rock because it contains abundant free silica (quartz) or quartz rich minerals. Obsidian is associated with volcanoes that explode violently (due to the silca and water rich melts) whereas basalt flows relatively quietly onto the surface. For instance volcanoes in Hawai'i erupt basalt while Mt St Helens blows up.
There's no difference between working with glass or basalt fiber...Just naural fiber that can be used in some sort of application. Think it can bring more stiffnes in laminat....I know that in mix with kevlar (basalt+kevlar+basalt) you get armor material
Basalt fiber represents one of those little strokes of simple
genius that appear once in a while. Basalt itself is familiar from the
columnar formations in volcanic deposits. That same columnar structure
is a clue to the molecular behaviour of basalt, a hint that it might be a
viable fiber-forming material. Molten basalt can indeed be extruded
into fibers, but what was basalt first if not just molten rock ejected
from the vent (a volcano…) of a very large furnace (the Earth…)?
Hold on a moment… where else do we see this happening? How about in
the metals industry, where millions of tons of molten rock are ejected
from somewhat smaller furnaces each year in the form of slag? Indeed,
basalt fiber is now produced in quantity in two source grades: ‘basalt’,
and ‘modified basalt’ or slag.
Basalt fibers can be processed into all the fabric forms currently
available with glass fiber, and they can be substituted directly into
any application for which glass fiber is suitable. Basalt fiber
materials are proving to be a very useful alternative in applications
calling for a more robust version of glass fiber, and in other
applications that have traditionally been the domain of rock fibers such
as asbestos. Since basalt is also a rock fiber it exhibits far better
heat resistance than does glass fiber, withstanding conditions that
would quickly destroy glass constructs. It also exhibits a significantly
higher chemical stability than does glass fiber.
Being a recently developed material, research
into potential applications of basalt fiber has really only just begun.
The properties of basalt fiber will certainly guarantee that its major
uses will be in the construction trades, but it will undoubtedly see far
broader applications as well.
So…Keith, would you use basalt fiber? Do the heat characteristics preclude De-Lam? As far as columnar formations, Devil’s Postpile, Giant’s Causeway, et. al. is this process more of the same on a much smaller basis? I’m questioning flexibility.
Alejandro, are there any real world examples of boards laminated with these fibers?
Alejandro, as to your question about the cork rails, they are done in strips, or one strip depending on thickness desired. They are laminated (laid-up) and glued with any number of types. It;s your choice on the glue. Once wrapped in glass and epoxy it becomes one unit. There are plenty of others who know what they are talking about when it comes to composites. They question was kind of hijacked by the basalt issue. Perhaps someone else who does know can help to dial you in.