CONTINUOUS BASALT FIBERS: PRODUCTION ASPECTS AND SIMULATION OF FORMING PROCESSES. I. STATE OF THE ART IN CONTINUOUS BASALT FIBER TECHNOLOGIES

The papers that describe basic stages in the production of continuous basalt fibers are reviewed. The effect of rheological and crystallization properties of basalt melts on the production of fibers is considered. It is established that the higher the ratio of viscosity to surface tension eta/sigma, the more stable the formation of fibers. The viscosity and crystallizability of the melt determine the fiber-forming temperature range. Features of the process for producing fibers from mineral basalt raw material are described. It is established that the temperature range for the formation of basalt fibers is narrower than that for glass fibers. This is due to the more pronounced temperature dependence of viscosity and higher crystallizability of basalt fibers. The high wettability and high infrared absorptance of basalt melts are factors that influence the effectiveness of the formation process. Therefore, the continuous basalt fiber production process should be optimized.