Surface Characterization of Coated and Uncoated Float Glass

Surface coating on float glass has become standard in the production of window panes, where especially low-emission coatings are used to reduce the radiative heat loss through the windows. However, coatings may also be utilized to control the formation of condensation on the window panes [1]. In this respect we have determined the effect of two different silane coatings on the float glass hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity and on the surface roughness, as these parameters affects the condensation [2]. Hence, we have measured the advancing and receding water contact angles (CA) by the sessile drop method and the RMS surface roughness by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The silane coatings used were (3aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane (APTMS) and 1H,1H,2H,2H-Perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane (PFTES) deposited by chemical vapour deposition.