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Abstract

A composition suitable for treating metal surfaces prior to bonding of the surfaces to materials including metals, rubber, glass, polymers, sealants, coatings, and in particular polymeric adhesives, to enhance the strength of the bond and to prolong useful life in corrosive environments, is described. The composition comprises: (a) water; (b) metal alkoxide comprising M(OR).sub.x, where M is a metal and R is an alkyl group; and (c) organoalkoxysilane comprising silane coupling functional groups capable of bonding with the material to be bonded to the metal surface; and (d) acid to promote hydrolysis and crosslinking of the metal alkoxide and organoalkoxysilane, wherein the molar ratio of metal alkoxide:organoalkoxysilane:acid is selected such that the composition is characterized by: (i) an extended shelf life, and (ii) is capable of crosslinking when applied to the metal surface to form a adherent coating having a substantially uniform distribution of metal, silicon, and oxygen species through the thickness of the coating, (iii) is capable of bonding with the material to be bonded to the metal surface to form a strong adherent bond between the metal surface and the material to be bonded to the metal surface. Also described is a method of using the composition to bond metal surfaces to one another.

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