Dissolution behaviour of model basalt fibres studied by surface analysis methods

New concepts of surface modifications aimed at the enhancement of alkali resistance of basalt fibresrequire research work on chemical composition of interacting surface layers as well as knowledge aboutfundamental processes of basaltic glass dissolution. Therefore, two model basalt fibres manufactured outof subalkaline and alkaline rock material were leached in NaOH solution at a temperature of 80◦C for upto 11 days. The formation of a corrosion shell was observed in both cases and was analyzed by SEM/EDX.The model fibres out of subalkaline rocks show dissolution kinetic, which is two-staged, whereas themore alkaline fibre reflects a linear one. The complex composition of basalt fibre is detected by EDX andXPS. The surface of basalt fibres is rich in Si and Al. XPS high resolution spectra provide information onoxidation state of iron.