Physical characterization of E-glass fibres treated with alkylphenylpoly(oxyethylene)alcohol

Abstract The adsorption of a non-ionic surfactant, alkylphenylpoly(oxyelhylene)alcohol from aqueous solutions onte industrial E-glass fibres has been followed by measurements of their surface properties (electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) technique), streaming/zeta potential and wetting characteristics. All three techniques indicate substantial changes in the interaction between glass fibres and water as a consequence of surfactant adsorption, although it seems that only a fraction of the total surface is covered by the surfactant. The streaming/zeta potential has been found to reflect the processability of the fibres in a realistic way, whereas the wettability of the fibres provides indirect information concerning the surface coverage and polarity of the fibres. Although the ESCA measurements are performed in ultra-high vacuum, the results are shown to give semi-quantitative information about the amount adsorbed on the surface, and correlate well with the wetting properties. All methods indicate, as expected, an enhanced absorption with increased surfactant concentration.