CF6791 Basalt Fiber Chopped Strands for PP, PE Reinforcing

Basalt Fiber Chopped Strands for PP, PE Description

These precision-engineered chopped strands optimize reinforcement for polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) thermoplastics. Basalt filaments, extruded to controlled diameters of 11–18 μm, enhance stress transfer while maintaining melt-flow integrity during processing. A proprietary silane coating incorporating maleic anhydride-grafted polyolefins creates covalent bonds with non-polar polymer chains, eliminating phase separation under thermal-mechanical stress.

The volcanic mineral matrix delivers exceptional thermal resilience, maintaining performance integrity from cryogenic (–260°C) to extreme heat (+650°C)—critical for extrusion processing at 200–240°C and automotive under-hood applications. With tensile strength of 0.58–0.65 N/tex and modulus of 86–92 GPa (surpassing E-glass by 20–25%), compounding at 20–35% loading elevates PP's HDT from 60°C to 145–155°C and boosts HDPE tensile strength by 30–45%.

Low moisture absorption (≤0.15%) prevents hydrolysis in humid environments, while inherent resistance to acids, alkalis, and UV radiation ensures longevity in industrial packaging. Electrically insulating and self-extinguishing (LOI >65%), the strands comply with UL94 V-2 standards for electrical housings. Optimized aspect ratio and anti-static agents ensure cluster-free dispersion in thin-walled molding, with controlled fuzz levels (≤20 mg/kg), reducing equipment wear.

Basalt Fiber Chopped Strands for PP, PE Applications

Automotive Structural Parts: Reinforces bumper cores and battery trays with 40–60% higher impact resistance versus virgin PP/PE, enabling 20–30% weight reduction. Thermal stability (–260°C to +650°C) ensures under-hood performance.

Chemical Packaging Systems: Resists acids/solvents in HDPE drums and IBC tanks, increasing tensile strength by 30–45% for thinner-walled designs. Moisture resistance (≤0.15%) prevents blistering in humid storage.

Electrical Safety Components: Dielectric strength (>22 kV/mm) and arc resistance suit junction boxes and circuit breakers. Self-extinguishing properties (LOI >65%) eliminate melt-dripping risks.

Weather-Resistant Consumer Goods: Enhances outdoor furniture and tool handles with 50% higher impact strength and UV stability. Ideal for marine and construction environments.

Sustainable Industrial Solutions: FDA-compliant food packaging, chemical-resistant agricultural tanks, and recyclable solar panel frames—leveraging a 28% lower CO₂ footprint versus glass fiber.

Basalt Fiber Chopped Strands for PP, PE Packaging

Our products are packaged in customized cartons of various sizes based on the material dimensions. Small items are securely packed in PP boxes, while larger items are placed in custom wooden crates. We ensure strict adherence to packaging customization and the use of appropriate cushioning materials to provide optimal protection during transportation.

Packaging: Carton, Wooden Box, or Customized.

Kindly review the packaging details provided for your reference.

Manufacturing Process

1.       Testing Method

(1)    Chemical Composition Analysis - Verified using techniques such as GDMS or XRF to ensure compliance with purity requirements.

(2)    Mechanical Properties Testing - Includes tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation tests to assess material performance.

(3)    Dimensional Inspection - Measures thickness, width, and length to ensure adherence to specified tolerances.

(4)    Surface Quality Inspection - Checks for defects such as scratches, cracks, or inclusions through visual and ultrasonic examination.

(5)    Hardness Testing - Determines material hardness to confirm uniformity and mechanical reliability.

Please refer to the SAM testing procedures for detailed information.

Basalt Fiber Chopped Strands for PP, PE FAQs

Q1. What is the primary function of these strands?

These silane-coated basalt fiber segments reinforce polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) thermoplastics via extrusion/injection molding, enhancing mechanical strength, thermal stability, and chemical resistance in automotive, packaging, and electrical components while enabling lightweight, sustainable designs.

Q2. Why select basalt over traditional glass fiber for PP/PE?

Basalt offers superior tensile strength (0.58–0.65 N/tex vs. 0.35–0.45 N/tex for E-glass), higher thermal resilience (–260°C to +650°C), lower moisture absorption (≤0.15%), innate UV/chemical resistance, and a 28% lower CO₂ footprint.

Q3. How do they perform during processing?

The maleic anhydride-enhanced silane coating enables uniform dispersion in extruders (180–240°C), eliminating nozzle clogging while reducing screw wear. At 30% loading, composites achieve 30–45% higher tensile strength, 70–90°C increased HDT, and 40–60% enhanced impact resistance.

Related Information

1.       Common Preparation Methods

The production initiates with rigorous selection of high-purity volcanic basalt rock, which undergoes washing, crushing, and magnetic separation to yield uniform 5–20 mm granules free of metallic impurities. These granules are fed into gas-fired or electric furnaces operating at 1,460–1,500°C, where basalt melts into a homogeneous, viscosity-controlled lava. The molten material flows into platinum-rhodium alloy bushings equipped with micro-nozzles (11–18 μm diameter), where it is drawn into continuous filaments under high-speed traction and rapid air-quenching to solidify the amorphous structure essential for mechanical robustness.

Immediately after formation, filaments pass through an aqueous sizing bath containing a specialized PP/PE-compatible silane formulation—typically blending γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (for covalent grafting to polyolefins), maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (MAH-PP) coupling agents, hydrophobic additives, and anti-static lubricants. Applied at 65–80°C via dip-coating rollers, this sizing uniformly encapsulates each filament to promote interfacial adhesion while reducing fiber-fiber friction during downstream processing. The coated filaments are gathered into parallel, untwisted bundles under tension control, with linear density adjusted to 2,200–4,800 Tex by modulating bushing throughput and winding velocity.

Continuous rovings undergo infrared pre-drying (100–120°C) to remove surface moisture before precision-chopping via rotary blades into 3–6 mm lengths (±0.3 mm tolerance) under a nitrogen atmosphere to prevent thermal degradation. Chopped strands then enter fluidized-bed dryers, where sizing crosslinking occurs at 125–145°C for 20–40 minutes, activating chemical bonding sites for PP/PE matrices. Post-drying, strands undergo multi-stage screening to remove undersized fragments (<2 mm) and electrostatic dedusting to eliminate loose particles.

Final quality control includes laser granulometry for length distribution verification, thermogravimetric sizing content analysis (0.6–1.0 wt%), and compounding trials with molten PP/PE to validate dispersion homogeneity and interfacial bonding. Strands meeting tensile strength (≥0.58 N/tex), moisture content (≤0.15%), and fuzz resistance (≤20 mg/kg) standards are packaged in moisture-barrier bags under nitrogen purge, ensuring shelf stability for extrusion/injection molding of automotive, packaging, and electrical components requiring chemical resistance and impact strength.