Although polymer surface modification is a topic of a large number of investigations, relatively little attention has been paid to surface activation technologies, which, when appropriately utilized, make specific polymer-based surfaces receptive to value-adding interfaces such as inks, coatings, and adhesive formulations.

This book describes the primary polymer adhesion issues faced by manufacturers, processors, and converters, outlines a variety of methods for attaining an appropriately activated surface, and provides the diagnostics for various adhesion promotion issues as well as troubleshooting guidelines.

Adhesion strength is generally determined by the properties of a base material and its interface. Optimizing adhesion strength can be accomplished by modifying these interfaces chemically and physically. As polymers are continually engineered to meet new product application requirements, optimizing the activation of these surfaces requires a fresh look at cost-effective ways to etch, clean, and functionalize them. These demands require detailed information on the surface treatment of classic materials, as well as an examination of the latest surface treatment machine designs available that are used to process these materials. There are four chapters devoted specifically to corona, ozone, flame, and plasma discharge surface treatment technologies, plus, a useful chapter on the identification of common adhesion maladies.

Contents

Primary Polymer Adhesion Issues with Inks, Coatings, and Adhesives. Basic Principles of Atmospheric Discharge Surface Modification Technologies. Air Plasma (Corona) Treatment Technologies: Features and Application Benefits. Ozone Treatment Technology: Features and Application Benefits. Flame Plasma Treatment Technologies: Features and Application Benefits. Chemical Plasma Treatment Technologies: Features and Application Benefits. Applying Surface Modification Methods to Decorating Processes to Promote Adhesion. Applying Surface Modification Methods to Promote Adhesion with Coating Processes. Applying Surface Modification Methods to Promote Adhesion to Plastic Nanocomposites and Composite Materials.