Long-Term Performance of Pultruded Basalt Fiber Reinforced Polymer Profiles under Acidic Conditions

Abstract

This study experimentally investigated the degradation of tensile properties of basalt fiber reinforced polymer (BFRP) profiles under acidic conditions. The effects of the temperature, pH value, and BFRP thickness were analyzed by means of accelerated aging. The surface conditions were also observed by a scanning electron microscope. The long-term acid resistance of BFRP was studied based on the Arrhenius model. The results showed that BFRP profiles have superior durability in acidic solutions. Under the condition of pH=2/55°C/9 weeks, BFRP showed a strength retention rate of 81.6% and almost no changes in tensile modulus. The degradation was attributed to the fracture of the interface between resin and fiber, caused by physical and chemical interactions in the acidic solution. Subsequently, a prediction model of the long-term degradation was built, and the relationship of the service years and strength reduction, considering different pH values and working temperatures, was established for durability design.