Corrosion in glass fibres

Researchers at Pennsylvania State University are investigating how glass corrodes by focusing on modified e-glass and studying the formation of its silica layer. Researchers say that understanding what the compositional/structural aspects of the original glass can have on the promotion or inhibition of layer formation and the affect of the silica layer on the physical properties of the glass could lead to the manufacture of stronger glass fibres for incorporation into plastic matrices. Research showed that during corrosion, the sodium, calcium and aluminum in different compositions of e-glass all leave the surface of the glass and are replaced by water or hydrogen ions. Although the varying glass compositions did not affect layer composition or structure, it did alter the thickness of corrosion.