Basalt fiber

There have to be leaders for any advances to happen, if everyone were to merely follow nothing would ever advance. Some designers and builders are very comfortable doing their own thinking, others need the validation of others. Nothing wrong with either way of thinking, its just whatever you are comfortable with I guess. Personally I would have no problem using basalt instead of glass but it has to make sense for the project, it has to offer an improvement in some way.

 

I totally agree with you. But if, as it seems, it is about saving weight from a predetermined glass compound, as I said before, I would verify that with the initial materials I had achieved all possible weight savings. It is very possible that a good schedule of glass can be lighter than a bad one of asbestos.

 

It sounds like it was an attempt at a non-engineering material substitution problem.
First, 15oz to 17 oz is an unrealistic comparison, given that the strengths of Basalt are superior .
If you had engaged an Composites Engineer, I am sure you could have gotten the benefits.

For example, if your layout consisted of two layers of 17 oz E glass over a core, you could possibly go to two layers of 6-8oz of Basalt over a core, or maybe it would have just been one layer of the lighter Basalt, as an example.
But, for an amateur builder, it would have been a very brave call to make.

Like I said before, its just engineering. Most boat designers have to stick with the products with plenty of documentation and copycat specs because they are not really qualified/trained composite engineers. Only the experts who really need to get a better result, like designers of Wind Generator Blades, Military and High performance projects invest the time/money to do the math, sample tests and studies into alternatives.

 

I agree, it would perhaps be a brave call for an amateur builder but having been a pro boatbuilder for nearly half a century and co owner of a custom laminating shop in NZ in the 1970s doing marine and non marine products including for a government agency i am quite comfortable designing laminates. Its what all boatbuilders did back in the early days as there was no such thing as a composites engineer. Doing material substitutions when what is specified is not available is something most bona fide boatbuilders are quite capable of doing and do all the time. Most of us know when we need to employ the services of an engineer, either composites or some discipline and will if necessary.

 

Hello Jim,
We take pleasure to introducing you to BASALT FIBER TECH Pty Ltd , Australian company that develop, design , manufactures and markets composite basalt fiber textiles ,products and solutions for demanding applications .

 

Found the web site - Welcome to Basalt Fiber Tech - Main Section http://www.basaltft.com

Like 90% of fabric suppliers in Australia, no pricing on-line. Whats the mystery ?

 

Hello Jim ,
We will be pleased to forward pricing on our basalt fabric ranges , kindly forward an email address ..

 

Thanks for the pricing details Chris, and the phone call.

It sounds like Basalt is getting more well known in Australia. Your comments about the characteristics of smaller Basalt manufacturers versus the big Russian producers that you represent, were particularly interesting, including the high iron content of ideal Basalt being better bonded to Epoxy than standard glass.

For my own reference, I looked up this interesting summary of the Basalt industry that did indeed indicate that the best quality Basalt comes from Russia.

Basalt Fibers: Alternative To Glass? https://www.compositesworld.com/articles/basalt-fibers-alternative-to-glass

 

Hello Jim,
Refer attached link .

Australian Boat Builder innovating with Advanced Basalt Textiles https://basaltft.wordpress.com/2017/12/14/basfiber-kevlar-boat/