ABSTRACT
Aqueous silanes have been the coupling agent of choice for many years, because of the following considerations: ease of use, economics, and health, safety and environmental considerations [1-3]. Water based solutions of silanes between pH = 4 and pH = 4.5 are generally considered to be stable as monomeric silane triols for up to 24 hours [4, 5]. The choice of functional group used on the organic por tion of the silane molecule usually depends on the chemical nature of the polymer matrix employed. Conventionally, it has been assumed that silanes deposit with the hydrolysed alkoxy silane group onto the glass surface [1]. Recent research on solvent based and aqueous systems is now challenging this assumption [4, 6].
