A fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopic study of the hydrolytic stability of silane coupling agents on E‐glass fibers

Abstract

Abstract Fourier‐transform (FT) infrared spectroscopy has been applied to the study the hydrothermal degradation of various coupling agents on E‐glass fibers. The coupling agents studied include γ‐methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, vinyltrimethoxysilane, and cyclohexyltrimethoxysilane. The amount of coupling agents on E‐fibers was measured as a function of immersion time in water at 80°C. Structural changes were also followed by obtaining FT‐IR difference spectra of the coupling agent on the glass fiber surface. Silanes desorb quite differently depending on the organofunctional groups. The resistance to desorption is strongly influenced by the organization of the silane interphase as well as the solubility of the silane in water.