Modifying the surface characteristics of a substrate
There are several reasons why one might use plasma surface treatment, including:
- Improving adhesion: Plasma surface treatment can increase the surface energy of a material, which can improve its adhesion to other materials or coatings. This is particularly useful in applications where strong adhesion is required, such as in bonding two different materials together.
- Cleaning: Plasma surface treatment can remove contaminants from a material's surface, such as oils, grease, and other organic compounds. This can improve the quality and consistency of subsequent processes, such as painting, printing, or bonding.
- Modifying surface properties: Plasma surface treatment can modify the surface properties of a material in a controlled way, such as changing its wettability, surface roughness, or surface chemistry. This can be useful in a range of applications, including biomedical devices, electronics, and coatings.
Overall, plasma surface treatment is a versatile technique that can be used to improve the performance of materials in a range of applications.
What kinds of plasma are there?
Low pressure Plasma
These plasmas are generated in closed chambers in a vacuum (10-3 to 10-9 bar). The decreased particle count per volume in comparison to atmospheric pressure leads to a greater free travel length and to a comparatively lower number of impact processes. Therefore the plasma has a lower tendency to relax and can spread more widely in the space. Strong pumps are necessary for evacuating the chamber. Low pressure plasma does not have inline capability.
Atmospheric pressure plasma
Atmospheric plasma is generated under normal pressure. This means that low pressure chambers are not required. With the patented Openair-Plasma® jet technology , it is now possible for the first time to integrate very effective and – what is more – protective plasma (because it’s potential-free) directly into manufacturing processes under normal pressure conditions. The big advantage of atmospheric plasma is its inline capability. As a rule, it can be integrated into existing production systems with no problems.
Corona process, corona treatment
Corona treatment is a physical process involving high voltage and is mainly used for treatment of films. The disadvantage of corona pretreatment is its relatively low activation potential and the sometimes inhomogeneous results on the surface treated. In individual cases, there may also be unintended treatment of the reverse side of the film. Moreover, the surface tension obtained does not remain stable very long, and the treated components can only be stored for a limited time.
Thermal high-pressure plasma
Thermal high-pressure plasmas are generated in special gas discharge lamps, for example. They have no importance in the treatment of surfaces.
