Silane Coupling Agents and Glass Fibre Surfaces: A Perspective

In order to understand and develop application and analytical techniques for silane coupling agent modification of glass fibre surfaces and to identify and quantify the factors which influence such modification on surfaces, a detailed understanding of how such coupling agents act and how the surfaces they act upon influence their adsorption is needed. This short review examines the application of silane coupling agents to glass surfaces, and how the nature of glass fibre surface affects the application of such coupling agents. Finally, an example, using the coupling of an isocyanurate silane to E-glass fibre surfaces, illustrates the principles that must be considered in applying silane coupling agents to any surface.