Investigation of Chemically Treated Basalt and Glass Fibres

Abstract.

 Basalt and E-glass fibres were treated in 0.1N and 2N NaOH up to 3 hours to evaluate their chemical durability in alkaline environments. For the fibres tensile strength and mass were determined before and after alkaline treatment. The morphology of fibre surfaces was investigated using SEM. Changes of chemical (surface) composition were characterised by EDX and infrared spectroscopy. The chemical durability studies carried out on basalt and E-glass fibres indicate a better alkaline resistance of basalt. In particular a higher tensile strength was determined and changes induced by alkaline attack are less pronounced in the infrared spectra of basalt. A higher mass loss of basalt is most likely due to the smaller diameter of basalt fibres.