A SEM/EDXA study on the chemical attack of aqueous NaOH/KOH solutions on the surface of the metal-metalloid glass (Fe, Cr)80 (P, C, Si)20 and Fe75Cr5P8C10Si2, respectively

After a treatment of the metal-metalloid glassy alloy (Fe, Cr)₈₀ (P, C, Si)₂₀ and Fe₇₅Cr₅P₈C₁₀Si₂, respectively, by aqueous alkaline solutions of 1.0M NaOH + 1.0M KOH and 2.5M NaOH + 2.5M KOH, respectively, a SEM/EDXA study of the glass surface was performed.The results of the accelerated ageing procedure demonstrate that the glass treated with the 1.0M NaOH + 1.0M KOH solution at room temperature (20 °C) is characterized by a surface state like that of the initial material.For the glass treatment with the 2.5M NaOH + 2.5M KOH solution at 20 °C the surface layer shows a different morphology and is thicker. It can be supposed that the reinforcing property is reduced.The glass treatment at 80 °C with the aqueous solutions 1.0M and 2.5M (NaOH + KOH), respectively, leads to surface layers of different morphology and such a layer is about 5 m thick. The strength of solid residue of such a treated glass is very low.Dedicated to Professor Dr. rer. nat. Dr. h.c. Hubertus Nickel on the occasion of his 65th birthday