Surface modification of glass fibers for reinforced plastics

Abstract

Glass fibers for reinforcement of plastics are commonly coated by an organic layer during their production, providing them with adequate properties, at the drawing stage, transformation processes and also in the final composite. The organic coating is composed of a mixture of several polymers, lubricants and adhesion promoters including an organosilicon agent, which appears to be crucial for the mechanical behaviour of the final composite, including durability of mechanical properties in wet conditions. The system consisting of aminopropyltriethoxysilane as adhesion promoter between glass and phenolic resin is described.