Basalt is the generic name for a naturally mined igneous rock that forms as molten lava rises from the earth's crust and changes phase. Although the technology for producing continuous filament from this basic material was developed over 30 years ago, the ability to apply it in a commercial operation is just now being realized. MTLS now serves Basaltex (part of the Belgian based firm Groep Masureel) in distribution and technical representation of basalt products throughout the Americas.

Our basalt fibers and fabrics have found their way into a number of applications by providing our customers with unique properties in their composite systems. Enhanced modulus and interlaminar shear are realized under adverse conditions allowing for the production of stronger and lighter parts in the following markets:

• automotive headliners
• seismic retrofit
  
• blast mitigation
  
• subway panels
• pultruded rods and channels
  
• composite cabling
• structural reinforcments

 

Basalt fabrics, braids and slit tapes are ideally suited for fire protection applications. With a variety of weights, styles and coatings available MTLS is well positioned to offer off-the-shelf solutions as well as custom engineered products manufactured to your specification. The benefits to such a systematic approach are often realized in niche opportunities for cable wraps, fire curtains, interliners and welding blankets.

A few of our value added services for these materials include the following:

• metallization
• illuminescence
• flocking (reduced dermal sensitivity)
• abrasion resistance
• fabric stabilization
  

Basalt's inherent ability to perform at continuous operating temperatures in excess of 1200 C (without stress) has allowed MTLS to develop a variety of nonwovens for insulating furnaces, appliances, generators and other high temperature casings in addition to a number of thermoformable seals and gaskets.

After developing basalt fiber the principal focus of the Soviet Union was to exploit the electrical properties of the woven forms in their military programs.  Today, we are working with our customers to capitalize on those same characteristics in composites used in radomes and lightning strike applications.