composite / Fibre-Reinforced / Polymer-Based FRP
Basalt fibre reinforced polymer panel (1.5mm, 2.0mm, 3.0mm)
BFRP panels use basalt fibres with reported density ~2.64-2.75 g/cm?, tensile strength ~2.8-5.0 GPa and modulus ~89-110 GPa (fibre properties); composite performance varies with resin and fibre fraction.
Atlas code
COM-FRC-PFR-003
At-a-glance signals
BFRP panels use basalt fibres with reported density ~2.64-2.75 g/cm?, tensile strength ~2.8-5.0 GPa and modulus ~89-110 GPa (fibre properties); composite performance varies with resin and fibre fraction.
Overview
Executive summary
Basalt fibre reinforced polymer (BFRP) panels use continuous basalt fibres derived from melted volcanic rock in a polymer matrix (typically epoxy or vinyl ester). Published basalt fibre properties report density about 2.64-2.75 g/cm?, tensile strength roughly 2,800-5,000 MPa, and elastic modulus around 89-110 GPa. Composite panel properties are lower than fibre values and depend on resin system and fibre volume fraction.
Best when…
- Superior tensile strength (280-380 MPa) exceeding glass fibre by 15-25%
- Exceptional corrosion resistance in marine environments (25-30 year service life)
- Chemical resistance across pH 1-13 range
- Natural UV resistance (95-99% blocking) without additives
- 75% weight reduction compared to steel
- Service temperature range -40°C to +200°C
- Non-conductive properties for electrical safety
- Low water absorption (0.2-0.8% by weight)
- 60-80% maintenance cost reduction versus steel
- Recyclable through thermal processing (95% fibre recovery)
- Naturally termite resistant
- Non-toxic mineral composition
- 50% embodied carbon reduction versus steel
- Fatigue resistance exceeding 2 million cycles
- Impact resistance 15-45 kJ/m²
- No rust or oxidation issues
Top advantages
- 01 Superior tensile strength (280-380 MPa) exceeding glass fibre by 15-25%
- 02 Exceptional corrosion resistance in marine environments (25-30 year service life)
- 03 Chemical resistance across pH 1-13 range
- 04 Natural UV resistance (95-99% blocking) without additives
- 05 75% weight reduction compared to steel
Top limitations
- 01 Limited fire resistance due to polymer matrix (ignition 200-300°C)
- 02 Higher initial cost than glass fibre (15-25% premium)
- 03 Anisotropic properties require careful design
- 04 Limited Australian standards compliance documentation
- 05 No current CodeMark certification available
Technical
Physical ·9
- Density
- 2.64-2.75 g/cm? (basalt fibre density; composite density depends on resin/fibre fraction) kg/m³
- Specific gravity
- 2.64-2.75 (basalt fibre)
- Porosity
- 1 %
- Water absorption
- 0.5 % by weight
- Hardness
- 82.5 Shore D
- UV resistance
- 97 %
- Chemical resistance
- Excellent
- pH tolerance
- 7 pH range
- Surface roughness
- 3.2 μm Ra
Mechanical ·7
- Tensile strength
- 2,800-5,000 MPa (basalt fibre tensile strength; composite values lower) MPa
- Compressive strength
- 375 MPa
- Flexural strength
- 325 MPa
- Shear strength
- 50 MPa
- Poisson's ratio
- 0.275
- Impact resistance
- 30 kJ/m²
- Creep resistance
- [object Object]
Sustainability & Health
Embodied carbon & energy ·7
- Embodied carbon
- 4.2 kg CO₂-eq/kg
- Carbon footprint
- 5.45 kg CO₂-eq/kg
- Embodied energy
- 97.5 MJ/kg
- Water footprint
- 26 L/kg
- Recycled content
- 5 %
- Renewable content
- 0 %
- Circular score
- 6.5 /10
Compliance & Fire
Fire performance ·6
- Combustibility class
- Combustible
- Fire resistance level
- 90 minutes
- Ignition temp
- 250 °C
- Flame spread index
- 45 FSI
- Smoke dev. index
- 200 SDI
- Heat release rate
- 125 kW/m²
Cost & Lifecycle
Capex & lead time ·5
- Material cost (range)
- [object Object] – [object Object]
- Material cost (per unit)
- 50 AUD/m²
- Lifecycle cost
- 120 AUD/m²
- Annual maintenance
- 0.5 AUD/m²/year
- Market availability
- Moderate
Layer D
Where it's used
Interior wall panels and partitions (1.5mm)
Decorative architectural cladding
Commercial kitchen wall linings
Cleanroom panel systems
Exterior building cladding (2.0mm)
Swimming pool surrounds and wet areas
Transport industry panels (truck bodies, trailers)
Marine vessel interior/exterior panels
Structural load-bearing panels (3.0mm)
Chemical plant protective barriers
Mining facility impact panels
Bridge deck overlays
Concrete reinforcement replacement
Suspended ceiling systems
Acoustic panel substrates
Blast mitigation panels
Electromagnetic shielding applications