Chapter 12 - Adhesion Promoters

Abstract

Adhesion promoters, or coupling agents, are chemicals that act at the interface between an organic polymer and an inorganic substrate to enhance adhesion between the two materials. Organic and inorganic materials are very different in many ways, for example, compatibility, chemical reactivity, surface properties, and coefficient of thermal expansion, such that forming a strong adhesive bond between these two dissimilar materials is difficult. An adhesion promoter, in its optimal sense, will act effectively at the organic–inorganic interface to chemically and physically wed these dissimilar materials into a strong cohesive bond structure. Adhesion promoters are chemical materials that contain dual functionality in the molecular structure. Organosilane coupling agents are the predominant chemical type of adhesion promoter and, therefore, are here the main focus of discussion.