What is Silane coupling

Silane coupling agents belong to a class of organosilane compounds having at least two reactive groups of different types bonded to the silicon atom in a molecule. One of the reactive groups of different types is reactive with various inorganic materials such as glass, metals, silica sand and the like to form a chemical bond with the surface of the inorganic material while the other of the reactive groups is reactive with various kinds of organic materials or synthetic resins to form a chemical bond.

As a result of possessing these two types of reactive groups, silane coupling agents are capable of providing chemical bonding between an organic material and an inorganic material.

This unique property of silane coupling agents is utilized widely in the application of the silane coupling agents for the surface treatment of glass fiber products, performance improvement of fiber-reinforced plastics by the direct admixture to the synthetic resin, improvement of paints and other coating materials and adhesives, modification of surface properties of inorganic fillers, surface priming of various substrate materials, etc.

When a silane coupling agent is used in a thermosetting resin-based fiber-reinforced material, remarkable improvements are obtained in the mechanical and electrical properties of the material and the effect is more remarkable when the material is used in a wet or humid condition.

Application of silane coupling agents to thermoplastic resin-based fiber-reinforced materials is also actively performed along with the efforts to develop a silane coupling agent having further enhanced coupling effects.