Basalt Fiber Composites in Military and Defense Applications

Abstract

Basalt fiber is an emerging inorganic reinforcement derived from volcanic rock. It offers a unique combination of high strength, thermal stability, and chemical resistance, making it attractive for military and defense applications. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of basalt fiber-reinforced composites in defense and military fields, including their material properties, manufacturing methods, current and potential applications, recent innovations, environmental impacts, challenges, and future outlook by highlighting that basalt fiber composites can provide weight savings, cost advantages, and environmental benefits over traditional materials including reduced corrosion and lower embodied energy compared to steel or glass fiber. Their applications in ballistic protection (personal armor and vehicular armor), aerospace components (radomes and rocket motor insulation), naval structures (non-corrosive marine composites), and defense electronics (electromagnetically transparent housings) are summarized. The chapter also addresses current limitations, such as limited production scale, variability in fiber quality, and the need for additional design data, which have constrained widespread adoption of defense. Innovations, including hybridization with aramid, carbon fibers, natural fibers, and nano-engineering, are explored in terms of their impact on composite performance for defense applications. Finally, the challenges and future potentials for using basalt fiber as a reinforcing agent for composites in emerging military applications are outlined. © 2026 American Chemical Society