Fabric made of natural stone? Yes, it is possible!
First the basalt is melted at a temperature of 1,400 °C (2550 °F). The molten rock is then extruded through small nozzles to produce filaments of basalt fiber. The high modulus of elasticity of the product results in excellent tensile strength, which is more than twice the tensile strength of steel.
Basalt woven textile has high corrosion and chemical resistance to the effects of corrosive media: salt solutions, acid solutions and especially alkali liquids. The specific strength of basalt fiber is 2,5 times higher than the strength of alloy steel and 1,5 times higher than the strength of glass fiber. Heat-insulating items made of basalt fiber combined with inorganic binding agents can be used at temperatures up to 700°С. In addition, there is a series of compositions made from basalt rocks that have high thermal stability – up to 800°С.
Basalt fiber also has high insulating properties and transparency to electromagnetic radiation. These properties allow basalt fiber to be used for the production of electrical insulating materials for low-voltage (up to 250 V) and high-voltage (500 V) devices.