Influence of Sodium Hydroxide Treatment on Fibers for Geotextile Manufacturing.

The conservation of soil, a finite natural resource, demands effective measures. Within this context, the instability of soil masses on steep slopes poses significant risks to human life and environmental infrastructure, highlighting the need for developing erosion control strategies rooted in soil bioengineering principles. The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanical properties of fibers subjected to biodegradation and treated with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) for geotextile manufacturing. Experimental slopes were employed to mimic natural environmental degradation conditions. The fibers underwent treatment with alkaline NaOH solutions at concentrations of 3, 6, and 9% and were exposed for 180 days. Samples were collected every 30 days to evaluate the degradation process and performance under these conditions. These fibers exhibited resilience against field degradation over a period exceeding 180 days, demonstrating sustained effectiveness. Despite an initial reduction in strength compared to untreated control fibers, the treated fibers displayed enduring stability throughout the experimentation. This suggests that 6% NaOH concentration may yield higher tensile strength, thus positioning it as the optimal choice for the production of biodegradable geotextiles derived from fibers.