ABSTRACT

MAFIC SA is a manufacturer of both continuous Basalt fiber and chopped fiber forms as well as long Basalt fiber reinforced thermoplastic pellets. The company is headquartered in Luxembourg with facilities in Kelis Ireland (Basalt fiber production) and Woodbridge, ON Canada (Long fiber thermoplastic production). Basalt rock was lava that rapidly cooled to form igneous rock and is found in 1/3 of the Earth's crust. In the Basalt fiber process, the rock is melted, drawn, sized and spooled as continuous fiber or subsequently chopped.

Basalt fiber is finding its niche in the advanced composites industry as both a replacement and alternative for E-glass, S-glass and even carbon fiber and fabric. Basalt's cost versus strength characteristics make it an attractive reinforcement in aerospace, industrial, and construction applications. Basalt's maintenance of mechanical properties at high temperatures opens new avenues for the use of composites. MAFIC's knowledge and development of fiber sizings provide fiber to resin compatibility in a wide range of resin matrix applications.

The presentation will provide an overview of MAFIC and their capabilities, mechanical property comparisons to E, S and carbon fibers, and provide an overview of some application activities.

BIO

The presenter, Vincent Bailey has over 30 years experience in the advanced composites industry including aerospace manufacturing at both Sikorsky and McDonnel Douglas (now Boeing), the specialty coating industry (prepregs) Ferro Composites (now part of Solvay-Cytec), and textile weaving operations at Scairt, Inc. of Canada.

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