Preparation of continuous silicate fiber from pyroxene and K-feldspar mixture

• Published in: Journal of non-crystalline solids 2022-01, Vol.575, p.121173, Article 121173
• Main Authors: Liu, Changjiang, Tong, Xiaocong, Liu, Zhong, Guo, Ling, Yang, Chuncheng, Li, Hongchao, Jiang, Letao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Basalt fiber; Chemical composition; Raman spectra; Silicate melt; Tensile strength
• ISSN: 0022-3093; 1873-4812
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jnoncrysol.2021.121173

•Continuous silicate fiber was prepared from pyroxene and K-feldspar mixtures.•Viscosity and NBO/T of the silicate melt together governed fiber formation.•Molar ratio of Q2 and Q3 polyhedrons influence fiber formation and tensile strength.•Fiber raw materials can be expended to various of silicate minerals and wastes. Mixtures of pyroxene and K-feldspar instead of basalt rock were adopted to study the formation of continuous basalt fiber. Changing in mass ratio of the two minerals simulated acidic to ultrabasic igneous rocks. Within a specific composition range, continuous fiber was successfully prepared, whose fibration property was governed by both the viscosity and depolymerization degree (NBO/T) of the silicate melts. FT-IR and Raman spectra provided detailed structural information on the correlations between fibration property and the connection of silicate framework units. A proper ratio and arrangement of Q2 ([Si2O6]4−) and Q3 ([Si2O7]6−) was considered a key factor influencing the formation and tensile strength of the fiber. The results in present work also sheds light on a new route to prepare analogous basalt fiber by a proper combination of different industrial or mining silicates instead of exploiting new basalt rocks.