Basalt Woven Textile

Stone Paper: Composition, Marketing, and Usability

• Described as mostly limestone with ~20% HDPE binder; criticism that marketing calls HDPE “clean” without stressing fossil origin and non‑biodegradability.
• Some note it’s technically possible to make HDPE from renewable feedstock, but others say this is not cost‑competitive and not what’s used.
• One comment claims recycled HDPE is used, raising concerns about unknown contaminants and disposal by burning.
• User reports: heavy notebooks, very smooth yet slightly abrasive surface; great for pencil/ballpoint, poor drying for gel/rollerball, fountain pens discouraged due to nib wear.
• Side discussion that even normal paper slowly polishes nibs; explanation that microscopic surface roughness plus high local pressure at the nib causes gradual polishing.

Basalt Fiber vs Fiberglass, Carbon, Kevlar, Dyneema

• Basalt reported stronger than glass fiber but weaker than carbon fiber; more heat‑resistant and non‑flammable, seen as an “eco‑friendly” alternative where glass is the main competitor.
• Failure mode described as more gradual than carbon fiber’s catastrophic break, which can be advantageous.
• Non‑conductive and RF‑transparent, unlike carbon fiber; highlighted as beneficial for MRI use, microwaving, and drone structures.
• Some question its need given Kevlar/Dyneema/carbon, others point to different trade‑offs: cost, workability, UV sensitivity, conductivity, and burn behavior.

Current and Potential Applications

• Mentioned uses: snowboards, skateboards, kayaks, rowing shells, yachts (with recycled PET), exhaust wraps, welding/heat protection, rock/mineral wool insulation, concrete and foamed‑concrete reinforcement, bullet‑trap blocks, abrasion‑resistant pipe linings and flooring.
• Suggested for UAV airframes due to EM transparency and weather resistance.
• For body armor, commenters note it is heavier and weaker than Kevlar/carbon, so unlikely unless significantly cheaper.

Health, Safety, and Asbestos Comparisons

• Basalt fibers said (via a marketing‑linked source) to be thicker than the respirable range that made asbestos dangerous; others remain cautious and emphasize any fine particulate can harm lungs.
• Discussion of silicosis and MSDS warnings for basalt dust; consensus that PPE is important, and composite fibers (glass, carbon, basalt) are unpleasant and potentially harmful with repeated exposure.
• One explanation contrasts asbestos’ crystalline, longitudinal splitting into ultra‑thin fibers with basalt’s more glassy structure, arguing basalt is safer, though not harmless.

Manufacturing and High‑Temperature / 3D Printing Talk

• Basalt fiber production involves melting rock around 1400°C and extruding filaments; this alarms hobbyist 3D‑printing minds.
• Extended back‑and‑forth about whether basalt‑like materials could be 3D‑printed:
  • Ideas include adding fluxes to lower melting point, laser/sintering approaches, high‑temperature nozzles (ceramic or exotic alloys), heated chambers, or binder‑based processes.
  • Concerns raised about extreme corrosion, nozzle erosion, and porosity if binders burn out rather than react.

Basalt in Space and Extreme Environments

• One commenter predicts basalt‑fiber composites (with butyl rubber) as key Martian/asteroid construction materials; others question choice of butyl, proposing silicone rubbers/resins as more temperature‑tolerant and CO₂‑efficient.
• Linked NASA‑related work on rubber blends is more about gaskets/hoses than structural composites; economic trade‑offs for polymers vs in‑situ sand/rock remain unclear.

Environmental and “Need” Debates

• Basalt’s abundance and non‑flammability are seen as positives; some also tout reduced environmental impact vs organic high‑performance fibers.
• A yacht builder using basalt and recycled polymers draws criticism that yachts themselves are unnecessary luxury; replies note roles in research, transport, tourism, and live‑aboard lifestyles, and argue that “nobody needs X” applies equally to many modern comforts.