BASALT

Basalt is an effusive rock of volcanic origin, dark or black in colour, that contains silica. Basalt fibres belong to the mineral fibre category, together with carbon and glass fibres. The fibre diameters range from 9 to 13 µm, much higher than the breathability limit (which is approx. 5 µm).

Basalt fibres are excellent thermal and acoustic insulators, they maintain their mechanical properties even at high and extremely low temperatures, and they are very stable chemically (both in acid and alkaline environments).

To produce basalt fibre, the rock must be made to exceed its melting temperature (around 1400 °C) in order to guarantee suitable viscosity for making yarn.

To do this, a kiln with a refractory lining is used. The melted material is then extruded using a matrix that contains several platinum-rhodium bushings to produce continual basalt yarn. These yarns are wound onto a coil, an operation that also irons the fibres in order to reduce their diameter and increase their mechanical properties.

Geosafe is an extremely insulating and flameproof material, and it maintains its properties over a wide range of temperatures (-150 °C to +750 °C). It can be recycled because made totally of basalt, a natural material obtained from volcanic rocks. It can be used in different environments and, in comparison with the performance of other materials currently on the market, it is:

•  Lighter
•  Less bulky
•  More suitable for uneven surfaces
•  More ecological