Silanes
“Silane is a chemical compound with chemical formula SiH4. It is the silicon analogue of methane. At room temperature, silane is a gas, and is pyrophoric — it undergoes spontaneous combustion in air, without the need for external ignition. However, the difficulties in explaining the available (often contradictory) combustion data are ascribed to the fact that silane itself is stable and that the natural formation of larger silanes during production, as well as the sensitivity of combustion to impurities such as moisture and to the catalytic effects of container surfaces causes its pyrophoricity. Above 420°C, silane decomposes into silicon and hydrogen; it can therefore be used in the chemical vapor deposition of silicon.”(Wikipedia: 11/18/2008)
Silanes are very reactive and excellent coupling agents in that it can react with many materials. (RDC 4/8/2009)
E.P. Plueddemann, Silane Coupling Agents, Plenum Press (1982)
Recent US Patents
9/7/2010
7,789,990
Silane functional adhesive composition and method of bonding a window to a substrate without a primer
Zhu and Heberer of Dow has developed an adhesive based on one or more polymers having a flexible backbone and silane groups capable of silanol condensation along with heat and light stabilizers. (RDC 11/28/2010)
Recent Journal Articles
Studies on the Influence of Silane Treatment on Mechanical Properties of Coconut Sheath-Reinforced Polyester Composite
(1600-1605) Polymer - Plastics Technology and Engineering 50 #15 (2011)
Abstract
Jappes and Siva ofKalasalingam University, India,used naturally woven coconut sheath as a new type of reinforcement. The composite was fabricated using compression molding machine. In all the testing, the coconut sheath-reinforced polyester composite showed enhanced results. For further improvement in the properties, chemical modification such as silane treatment was given to the fibers. As expected, the mechanical properties of coconut sheath-reinforced composites were improved. (RDC 11/11/2011)