Abstract
Following local reports of failure of glass reinforced plastic (GRP) tanks used for the storage of ammonium orthophosphate fertilizer, the effect of phosphate solutions on the strength retention of E-glass fibre was investigated. Although solutions (1 to 5 mol dm−3) of mineral acids are known to corrode E-glass fibre, phosphoric acid solution (3 mol dm−3; pH 1.55) is essentially inert and strength retention of the glass fibre after 15 days exposure is the same as the water control. However, as the pH is raised strength retention is diminished and a minimum is observed around pH 7 to 8. A chemical explanation of this behaviour is put forward in terms of leaching and complex formation with calcium and magnesium ions. Although not nearly as corrosive as other agents, evidence suggests that phosphate solutions do corrode E-glass fibre and this should be borne in mind when GRP materials are used in such chemical environments.
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