Interfacial adhesion in polyester resin concrete

Silane coupling agents are widely used to improve the interfacial adhesion between the inorganic filler and the organic polymer matrix of polymer concretes. The mechanical properties of the concretes are also found to improve on the addition of silane coupling agents. This paper compares two methods of silane application; pretreatment of aggregates with silane and direct addition of silane to the resin, on the interfacial adhesion in polyester resin concrete for three different silanes. The effects of other parameters, such as the silane loading, predrying of aggregates before silane treatment, addition of CaCO₃ microfiller and pH of the silane treatment medium, are also investigated.