Suitability of Icelandic basalt for production of continuous fibres

ABSTRACT

The possibility of using Icelandic basalt for production of continuous fibres with presently known technology was investigated. One hundred and forty-five samples were taken based on selected field and petrographical criteria and further geochemically analysed. Additional sample discrimination using the geochemical results indicates that it may be difficult to find a suitable basalt for such production. However, minor modification to the composition of three samples is adequate to make them suitable. The viscosity of one specimen was further measured and found to be within the known limits for production of continuous fibres. It, therefore, seems possible that selected samples from the collection are suitable for production of continuous basalt fibres.

KEYWORDS:

• Continuous basalt fibre
• selection criteria
• oxide content
• viscosity
• Iceland

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The GREENBAS project was funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers under the NordMin program – A Nordic Network of Expertise for a Sustainable Mining and Mineral Industry.