It is possible to strengthen glass artefacts, such as containers, with epoxy based ormosil polymeric coatings and it has been shown that the strengthening arises from a crack filling or obturating mechanism. The observed degree of strengthening is also affected by the resin composition, the extent of cure and the thermal treatments given to the coated glass. Practical application of any coatings designed to strengthen glass requires that the increased strength is maintained over time. The use of a silane primer is shown to increase the durability of these coatings with the greatest durabilities obtained by extracting the silane with a cold water treatment before the epoxy coating was applied. This treatment removes a weakly bonded silane layer that is susceptible to hydrolytic degradation.
