Abstract
Hydrophobic adhesives have been widely used to improve the resistance of glass-reinforced plastics to water. They are either applied to the surface of the glass-filler, or introduced into the plasticiser or the polymeric binder.
Various mechanisms are discussed and compared, by means of which hydrophobic adhesives influence the properties of glass-filled polymers. The enhancement of the water resistance of the glass-reinforced plastics could result from improved mechanical adhesion between the polymer matrix and the glass, from a more uniform distribution of internal stresses in the boundary layer, from greater cohesive strength of the polymer film on the filler surface, and from increased adhesion between polymer and filler, which is due to the formation of stronger adsorption bonds between them. Special attention is paid to the possible formation of a chemical bond between the hydrophobic adhesive and the glass and silica surface.
A list of 114 references is included.