Plasma treatment surface activation of Engineering Polymers, such as PEEK, PTFE and POM, is a reliable and effective technique for increasing print adhesion and bond strength.
Many engineering polymers have characteristically low surface energy and therefore exhibit intrinsically poor adhesion characteristics. This is an important obstacle in achieving reliable glue joints for print adhesion applications onto materials widely used in the medical device industry for example. Several clients use our in-line atmospheric plasma surface treatment to successfully increase the surface energy of PEEK from 35mN/m to >72mN/m, ensuring permanent PAD print adhesion. The treatment is active on PEEK for several weeks and so parts can be stored until needed.
In another example, vacuum plasma treatment of PTFE has been adopted for printing and gluing steps in catheter manufacture, where we have been able to modify the PTFE surface to produce a permanent change in surface energy from 18mN/m to >72mN/m.
Plasma Treatment Engineering Polymers
- Small scale in-line treatment and industrial sized vacuum chamber treatments available
- Improved bonding of paint and printed inks to polymer surface
- Specific surface functionality without affecting bulk properties
- Hydrophobic, oleophobic and hydrophilic properties are possible
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Relevant Resources
Knowledge Articles
Plasma Technology
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Videos
Plasma Surface Activation Explained
Plasma Surface Activation Explained.
The fourth in our series of videos about plasma treatment technology, this video explains how plasma surface activation works and the results you can achieve.
Adhesion Grid Cut Test
The adhesion grid cut test is used to demonstrate the improvement in paint adhesion following plasma treatment.
