Chemical Interactions Between Cement and E-Glass Fibers with a CaO-BaO-SiO2-TiO2 Coating

E-glass fibers were coated with a 15CaO–15BaO–20SiO2–50TiO2 thin film by the sol–gel method. Mechanical and chemical tests were performed on coated and uncoated fibers in cement and cement extract solutions to investigate the interactions between cement and gel-glass film. The results show that the resistance of E-glass fibers to the alkali cement medium is enhanced by the 15CaO–15BaO–20SiO2–50TiO2 coating. The significant roles of TiO2, CaO, and BaO in the protection fibers from the alkaline attack of cement are described. Some evidence is presented that the alkali corrosion of the coated fibers results in the formation of a thick and compact Ti film that suppresses further corrosion reaction.