Patent ID: 6720080
Filing Date: 2004-04-13
Classification: C03C,C08J,H05K,Y10T

Abstract:
A finish for glass fiber fabrics formed of multi-filament yarns that are used with epoxy resins in the manufacture of reinforced epoxy resin laminates and like articles, said finish comprising:a) at least two coupling agents comprising: a cationic amino-functional alkoxysilane coupling agent and a chloropropyl-silane coupling agent for increasing the wetability of fiber surfaces to which the finish is applied; b) a weak acid for complexing the amine function of said agent, said weak acid being selected from the group consisting of: boric acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, and other weak acid; whereby prior to gelling of said epoxy resin, during the manufacture of said laminate, the epoxy resin which flows in the capillaries formed by the fiber filaments and which is in contact with the fibers to which said finish has been applied, will have a longer resin flow time and slower increase of resin viscosity within the capillaries of said multi-filament yarns before the epoxy resin gels when compared to the flow time and viscosity increase of epoxy resin between the yarns in the fabric and on the fabric surfaces between plies of said fabric in reinforced articles; whereby the epoxy resin has time to fill voids in the capillary region before gelling thus significantly reducing the incidence of voids.