Basalt Chopped Fiber

The Basalt or Rock fiber is manufactured by crushing a rock of a special chemical structure followed by its melting in furnaces at high temperatures, i.e. more than 1500 °С.

This complex fiber consists of 200 elementary filaments that are binded with special oiling liquid (sizing) and is out stretched through a special device, named feeder, at the bottom of the furnace.

Types of sizing process are selected depending on further contact environment of Rock fiber fibers in order to ensure maximum adhesion.

Ultimately, after the polymerization phase, it results in subsequent formation of rock chopped fiber or assembled continuous roving (which is used for Rock rebar manufacturing).

Mixing Technique

For stationary concrete mixing machines:

• Rock fiber reinforced concrete mixture is recommended to be prepared in compulsory batching plants (BSU);
• For a uniform distribution of Rock fiber throughout the volume of concrete Rock fiber is recommended to be introduced (automatically or manually) with sand and gravel on the tape BSU by gradual dose
• It is recommended to increase the mixing time of mixture with fiber for not more than 20% of the mixing time of concrete without fibers;
• It is strictly forbidden to add Rock fiber in a ready-made concrete mix in order to avoid lump formation and "urchins"

For on-site concrete mixers (agitators):

• Dry sand, cement, gravel is added into the rotary mixer and Rock fiber must be added gradually. Water is added only after a uniform distribution of fibers throughout the volume of mixture.
• For a uniform distribution of Rock fiber throughout the volume of concrete we recommend to add Rock fiber manually while adding sand into the mixer;
• It is recommended to set the optimum mixing time of Rock fiber and sand for its uniform distribution in the concrete mix.

Recommended dosage is from 1 to 5 kg of Rock fiber for 1 m3 of concrete mixture.

ADVANTAGES OF ROCK FIBER IN CONCRETE:

• Easy Concrete pouring (after a few hours you can remove the formwork)
• Provide a proportional three-dimensional reinforcement;
• Lightweight, high mechanical strength, high corrosion and chemical resistance to alkalis, acids and other aggressive environments;
• Frost resistant, waterproof;
• Sound absorption;
• Resistance to salt sea water;
• Resistance to ultraviolet radiation;
• Dielectric;
• Ecological.