mattj Posted August 21, 2011 Report Share Posted August 21, 2011 I just received the September issue of Ski Magazine which has their latest buyers guide in it. One of the skis caught my eye, the Rossignol Experience. The write up said: "We've seen lots of materials in skis: woods of all kinds, various alloys, Kevlar, fiberglass, carbon fiber, bamboo, rubber... but rock? In the case of the Rossignol Experience 88, it's basalt igneous - the most common rock in the earth's crust - which is melted, drawn into strands and then woven into a fabric used for reinforcement. Does it work? The testers say yes." I hadn't heard of using woven rock in skis so I did a bit of digging via Google etc: --- From one of the Rossignol PR folks and their website: Any new materials or construction technologies? We have a new technology called Complex. The Complex technology is a new aerospace fiber layer that replaces traditionally used fiberglass layers, the Basalt dramatically enhances the ski performance. By weaving Titanium or Aramide stringers into the Basalt fibers it raises the performance to a turbo-charging level. This new Complex layer has rock solid strength and higher elastic movement than even carbon fiber making it the ultimate material for removing vibration and improving snow contact. --- From one of the new skis on the Rossignol website: Experience 83: Reference RA1EJ01 Size Available 152 - 160 - 168 - 176 - 184 Structure CENTRAL DUALTEC Core FIBERGLASS WOOD Reinforcement BASALT Camber height HIGH Rocker height LOW Camber length *70%* Rocker length *30%* Tip CASCADE TIP Sidecut 132-83-120 Camber LOW Profile sidecut EXTENDED System TPX Tip protector INOX --- Thoughts? Metal is now popular, is this the "Next Big Thing" or just marketing hype? Are we expecting to see a Virus Basalt model in the near future? Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kieran Posted August 21, 2011 Report Share Posted August 21, 2011 It is similar to carbon fiber and fiberglass, having better physicomechanical properties than fiberglass, but being significantly cheaper than carbon fiber. this stuff rocks? ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hans Posted August 21, 2011 Report Share Posted August 21, 2011 Basalt rock skis are already a few years on the market. Not very common. Thought they were just a hype then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Ace* Posted August 21, 2011 Report Share Posted August 21, 2011 I heard about stone in skis a few years ago. http://www.zai.ch/en/home.html Pretty high end stuff...take a look a the 'nezza'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WEBSIGHT360 Posted August 21, 2011 Report Share Posted August 21, 2011 I have not used a Basalt tripod, but it seems they are a budget (if that term even applies to Gitzo) offering from these manufacturers with performance between the low end aluminum tube models, and the 6X carbon weave tubes. Interesting to see this material being used in skis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShawnGreen Posted August 21, 2011 Report Share Posted August 21, 2011 Wilson has been using basalt as part of their most recent upgrade in racket tech. Amazing. What's next? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ursle Posted August 21, 2011 Report Share Posted August 21, 2011 Cyrus, I'm ready for another Executor but this one has to have a basalt titanium weave, with zylon on the side, and I insist on titanal... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Ace* Posted August 28, 2011 Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 Did some digging and 'swiss-composite' has Basalt fibers in stock(page 19 of PDF catalog). Price isn't as high as you might think... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack M Posted August 28, 2011 Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 hmm, wonder if it's better than Azdel... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
www.oldsnowboards.com Posted August 28, 2011 Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 Did some digging and 'swiss-composite' has Basalt fibers in stock(page 19 of PDF catalog). Price isn't as high as you might think... Impressive resource!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjvircks Posted August 30, 2011 Report Share Posted August 30, 2011 Rocks are already in our boards and skis and have been for years! What the heck do you think fiberglass is? Glass is silica. Silica is SAND. ROCK. Now we've got a different flavor of rock with different properties. yawn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyrus the virus Posted September 2, 2011 Report Share Posted September 2, 2011 Basalt has almost the same abilities like a normal E-glass fiber! It was used by the Russians and should replace the much mor expensive carbon fiber by the look! To make cheaper boards look more worthy! We tried out that new super fiber about ten years ago! No difference! Marketing crap! ( my personal opinion!!!!!!!!!!!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kipstar Posted September 2, 2011 Report Share Posted September 2, 2011 In boat building and windsurfers where there is a bigger premium on weight to performance, there are 'miracles' pitched every few years. For strength material, S glass, E glass, carbon and kevlar seem to be the way to go. Core materials range from foam, wood (cedar) and nomex. This stuff has come up, but no widespread use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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