Abstract
Basalt is an extrusive igneous rock derived from lava and spread over different localities in Pahang. Kuantan basalts represent one of the largest bodies of basic extrusive in Peninsular Malaysia. Many studies of basalt rock focused on geochemistry and petrology and lacked comprehensive engineering investigations on Pantai Batu Hitam basalt rock. Thus, this study has investigated basalt rock's physical and chemical properties in Pantai Batu Hitam, Kuantan. The specimens were collected from different sites and prepared according to the International Society for Rock Mechanics Standard. Results exhibited that the basalt rocks in the studied location are classified as crystalline texture with a range of density (2.52–2.65), specific gravity (2.38–2.56), absorption values (0.92% − 0.97%), and rebound number of Schmidt hammer hardness test is average 44. The chemical composition of basalt rock specimens consists of SiO2 (42.20% − 44.56%), Al2O3 (12.36% − 16.54%), CaO (12.30% -13.10%), MgO (4.23% − 5.95%), K2O (4.14%- 4.95%) and Fe2O3 (3.23%- 3.95%) respectively. It indicates that the engineering properties of basalt in Pantai Batu Hitam, Kuantan is comparable with European countries. Therefore, this study supports using basalt rock from Kuantan for industrial applications such as basalt fiber, cast, and ceramic. The basalt fiber production can be expanded in Kuantan due to the availability of sources.