ABSTRACT
Siloxane polymers bearing a variety of different functional groups are found to attach effectively to E-glass fibers. The strength of the interaction between such polymers and the glass surface varies depending on both the nature of the functional group and the application method. We have developed a unique configuration for DRIFT spectroscopy to analyze glass surfaces treated with a wide range of siloxane polymers bearing silanol, hydrido, methacryl, amino and imino functional groups. Such direct spectroscopic measurements now allow the relative amounts of the adsorbed functionalized siloxanes to be obtained. Substantial amounts of the silanol and hydrido siloxanes could be removed from the glass fibers by a toluene wash, whereas the amino, imino and methacryl siloxanes showed higher adhesion to the fibers. XPS and SEM have also been used to support the DRIFTS data relating to siloxane adsorption onto glass fibers.
