Analysis of as-prepared and corroded glass fibers by secondary neutral mass spectrometry

Abstract

Three types of glass fibers, differing mainly in their alumina, alkaline earth and alkali oxide contents, were investigated by secondary neutral mass spectrometry. The investigation was carried out on fibers as-prepared and after exposure to humidity and to attack in distilled water. Concentration-depth profiles of the fibers obtained by secondary neutral mass spectrometry showed that the asprepared fibers were already pre-experimentally weathered in a ≤50nm deep surface zone. The pattern of chemical change and leaching was found for each fiber to be similar after exposure to humidity and short-term attack by water, respectively, however with enhanced leaching observed in water, where the leached elements are removed from the fiber surfaces. Different leach mechanisms could be established for the different fiber types and changes of leach mechanisms with time could be observed. Altogether, the depth profiling method proved to be a powerful tool to elucidate the comphcated leach mechanisms also in the case of glass fibers.