Tensile behavior contrast of basalt and glass fibers after chemical treatment

Basalt and glass fibers were treated with sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid solutions respectively for different periods of time. Both the mass loss ratio and the strength maintenance ratio of the fibers were examined after the treatment. The morphologies of the fiber surfaces were characterized using scanning electron microscopy and their compositions were analyzed using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. For the basalt fibers, the acid resistance was much better than the alkali resistance. Nevertheless, for the glass fibers, the acid resistance was nearly the same as the alkali resistance. Based on the experimental results, possible corrosion mechanisms are addressed.