Strengthening mechanisms of epoxy based coatings on glass

Mechanisms by which soda–lime–silica glasses are strengthened by polymeric coatings were examined by coating as‐received glass with an epoxy resin. The strengthening effect has been measured with and without the addition of silane coupling agents. Fracture origins of coated and uncoated samples have been examined. It is shown that the flaws are healed by the coating to a degree that is dependent on the flaw size and geometry. As a result it was found that coated samples failed from smaller flaws that had been reinforced to a lesser extent by the coating.