Promotion of Adhesive Polymer Bonding by Plasma Modification Using Defined Ambient Conditions and Process Gases

Abstract

Abstract:Adhesive bonding technology is often the preferred solution for the joining of polymers. In many cases a wet chemical pretreatment has to be used to achieve sufficient adhesion strength and durability of the adhesive joint. Since several years, plasma treatment has been a proven method to attain these goals. However, conventional treatments in oxidizing gases such as air are often not satisfying. In this work, the PP (polymers polypropylene), PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride), PA6 (polyamide 6), POM (polyoxymethylene) and PC (polycarbonate) were pretreated by means of a plasma jet running at atmospheric pressure in a virtually oxygen-free atmosphere. The goal was the grafting of reactive nitrogen-containing functional groups on the plastic surfaces in order to increase the adhesive strength.