A Guide to Silane Solutions: Fiberglass and Composites

A Guide to Silane Solutions

Fiberglass and Composites Fiberglass and Composites

Silane coupling agents are a critical dissolve in the bath at low con- Some of the benefits imparted to component of fiberglass-reinforced centrations and give the stability fiberglass-reinforced plastics by polymers. The glass is very needed to treat the fiberglass. XIAMETER® silanes include: hydro-philic and attracts water to Certain silanes, such as aminosi- • Improved mechanical strength the interface. Without silane lanes, are more hydrophilic and will of the composites treatment on the surface, the bond dissolve at high concentrations in Improved electrical properties between the glass fiber and the water even without pH adjustment. • resin would weaken and eventually The size is applied to the fiberglass • Improved resistance to fail. Silane coupling agents are at the glass fiber manufacturing moisture attack at the interface used on fiberglass for general-pur- plant immediately after the glass • Improved wet-out of the pose reinforced plastic applications, fibers are extruded and bundled glass fiber such as automotive, marine, into glass fiber rovings. • Improved fiber strand integrity, sporting goods and building Depositing the silane as a silse- protection, and handling construction, as well as for high- quioxane (organosilicon with three • Improved resistance to hot performance applications in printed oxygen atoms shared with other solder during fabrication circuit boards and aerospace silicon atoms) on a surface and composites. XIAMETER® brand • Improved performance in measuring the weight loss by silanes figure prominently in the cycling tests from hot to cold thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) trend toward increasingly more extremes can determine the thermal stability durable, higher-strength plastic of the silane. Results of isothermal Table 2 suggests silanes for composites. TGA at 300ºC (572ºF) for several evaluation with various fiberglass- The chemical structure of the organic silanes are shown in Figure 1. reinforced polymer systems. group in a silane coupling agent has The improvement in thermal a great effect on its performance stability of a fiberglass-polyimide in a composite, as measured by composite is shown in Table 1. improvement of strength properties under wet and dry conditions. A wet-aging test, usually in boiling water, will show differences in the Figure 1. Thermal stability of silanes at 300ºC (572ºF), TGA. effectiveness of various silanes. Stability of RSiO3/2 in Air

Fiberglass for general-purpose 100 applications is treated with a dilute 90 R - On Silicon aqueous sizing bath consisting of a 80 70 HCl (CH2)3NHCH2CH2NHCH2 -CH=CH2 combination of ingredients (organic 60 -NH3 film formers, lubricants, antistats 50 -NH3 -CH CH CH O- and a silane coupling agent). The 40 2 2 2 30

% R Remaining -CH2CH2CH2NH- silane must be soluble in the 20 -(CH2)3NHCH2CH2NH2 10 aqueous bath at levels of 0.2 to 1 3 24 100 0 percent. Normally, if a water bath 0 2 3 4 5 8 10 20 40 60 100 is acidified with acetic acid to a pH Hours at 300°C (572°F) of 4, even hydrophobic silanes will Table 1. Thermal Stability of Mixed Silanes – Phenyl + Amino, Product Information S-Glass/Polyimide Laminates A complete list of XIAMETER® Coupling Agents on Glass brand silanes for use as fiberglass Properties of 9:1 Blend, Aminosilane Alone, and composite applications is Laminates, MPa Silane A and C Silane B available at xiameter.com. Flexural Strength, initial 544 476 In addition, Dow Corning 1000 hr @ 260°C (500°F) 409 258 Corporation also offers a wide 2000 hr @ 260°C (500°F) 306 134 variety of Dow Corning® brand XIAMETER® brand silane: specialty silicone material and A: OFS-6124 Ph-Si(OCH3)3

B: OFS-6011 H2N(CH2)3Si(OCH2CH3) service options as well as other C: OFS-6020 H N(CH ) NH(CH ) Si(OCH ) 2 2 3 2 2 3 3 silicon-based materials available to help you keep your innovative edge in the marketplace. Visit Table 2. Silane Coupling Agent Recommendations for Various Polymers – Matching Organoreactivity to Polymer Type dowcorning.com to learn more about the many additional silicone Organic Reactivity Application (suitable polymers) and silicon-based options available Acrylic, Nylon, Epoxy, Phenolics, PVC, Urethanes, to you from Dow Corning. Amino Melamines, Nitrile Rubber Benzylamino Epoxies for PCBs, Polyolefins, All Polymer Types Chloropropyl Urethanes, Epoxy, Nylon, Phenolics, Polyolefins Disulfido Organic Rubber Epoxy Epoxy, PBT, Urethanes, Acrylics, Polysulfides Epoxy/Melamine Epoxy, Urethane, Phenolic, PEEK, Polyester Mercapto Organic Rubber Methacrylate Unsaturated Polyesters, Acrylics, EVA, Polyolefin Tetrasulfido Organic Rubber Ureido Asphaltic Binders, Nylon, Phenolics; Urethane Graft to Polyethylene for Moisture Crosslinking, Vinyl EPDM Rubber, SBR, Polyolefin Vinyl-benzyl-amino Epoxies for PCBs, Polyolefins, All Polymer Types LIMITED WARRANTY INFORMATION – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY The information contained herein is offered in good faith and is believed to be accurate. However, because conditions and methods of use of our products are beyond our control, this information should not be used in substitution for customer’s tests to ensure that our products are safe, effective and fully satisfactory for the intended end use. Suggestions of use shall not be taken as inducements to infringe any patent.

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