Effects of aqueous aging on the mechanical properties of P40Na20Ca16Mg24 phosphate glass fibres

Melt-spun phosphate glass fibres (40 mol% P2O5-20 mol% Na2O-16 mol% CaO-24 mol% MgO) were aged for up to 7 days in doubly distilled water at 37 degrees C prior to single-fibre tensile testing. The effects of aqueous aging on the evolution of strength and modulus are discussed along with the possibilities for mitigating property loss via surface treatment and annealing. Whilst as-drawn fibres exhibited a strength loss over time, annealing produced a significant increase in strength over the same period. Silane pre-treatment of as-drawn fibres yielded no significant benefit to strength.