Resin coated glass fibers and method of producing same through use of an aqueous silane-containing sizing composition whereby hydrolysis and polymerization of the silane is inhibited

Abstract

Glass fibers are coated with a size comprising emulsified particles of a prepolymer having an organo functional silane locked into the protective colloid layer surrounding the particles. In that state silane hydrolysis and polymerization is inhibited. The silane coated prepolymer particles have an overlay of an ethoxylated fatty alkyl radical. The size also contains a lubricant comprising emulsified particles of a white oil coated with a mixture of ethoxylated fatty alcohols, ethoxylated fatty acids, and a diethoxylated fatty amine. The water phase of the size involves a dissolved cationic silane, as for example, gamma-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and dissolved nonionic lubricant, as for example, an ethoxylated fatty acid. The preferred emulsifier for the prepolymer is a polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene adduct. The size is made by adding an organo functional silane monomer to the emulsion of the prepolymer so that the silane adds to the oil phase. Thereafter the water solution of the silane and the water soluble lubricant are added, followed by the emulsion of the oil.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.