Basalt fibers are high-performance inorganic materials obtained from naturally occurring volcanic rocks. Due to their excellent combination of mechanical strength, thermal stability, and chemical resistance, basalt fibers have become one of the most promising reinforcements for polymer and metal matrix composites in the automotive, aerospace, construction, and energy industries. This paper investigates the chemical composition and production technology of continuous basalt fibers, emphasizing their dependence on the mineralogical composition of raw basalt and the processing conditions. The study applies X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to determine the chemical and structural parameters of basalt melts. The melting and fiber-drawing processes are discussed with respect to viscosity, temperature control, and crystallization behavior. Results demonstrate that basalt fibers typically contain 45–55% SiO₂, 14–18% Al₂O₃, 8–12% Fe₂O₃, 5–10% CaO, 3–5% MgO, and minor alkali oxides (Na₂O + K₂O up to 5%). The optimal melting range of basalt glass is 1350–1500°C, with a viscosity window of 35–55 Pa·s enabling stable filament formation. The study concludes that by adjusting the chemical ratios and controlling crystallization kinetics, it is possible to produce fibers with tensile strength of 3.5–4.8 GPa and elasticity modulus of 85–95 GPa, suitable for advanced automotive composite structures.

basalt fibers, chemical composition, production technology, viscosity, silicate melt, composite materials, automotive industry.

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