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Openair® plasma cleans and functionalizes surfaces
Openair® plasma can quickly and economically alter the surface characteristics of materials to functionalize them and make them easier to handle. Plasma changes the surface chemistry of materials without causing thermal damage to the underlying material. Difficult-to-bond surfaces can be cleaned and activated so when they are joined the resulting structure is many times stronger.
In virtually every branch of manufacturing there is a trend towards using materials that are lighter, more functional and more aesthetically pleasing. Plastics and composites are replacing metals, and adhesives are replacing mechanical fasteners. In every case there is a need to make the coatings and adhesives stick better. This is where Openair® plasma is performing an increasingly vital role. The plasma beam is directed at the surfaces prior to assembly, which cleans and activates them, making them more wettable. The resulting assemblies far outperform those made using traditional methods.
Openair® plasma is particularly valuable in functionalizing modern materials which have low surface energies and are challenging to handle, including: cyclic olefins, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), nylon (PA), polystyrene (PS), thermoplastic olefins (TPO), thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), synthetic rubbers (EPDM), silicones, poly ether ether ketone (PEEK) and liquid crystal polymers (LCP).
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Modern motorcycles demonstrate the application of new materials that are lighter and stronger than traditional designs and whose functionality is enhanced by the use of Openair® plasma. |
Cleaning aluminum foil
Aluminum foil is used extensively in packaging foodstuffs due to its excellent barrier properties. Usually it is laminated to other materials, such as plastics to enable heat-sealing or paper to carry printed graphics. However, the oils used in preparing the aluminum foil have to be removed. They have to be cleaned off to enable adhesion between laminates and the foil, and also because they would contaminate the food.
Placing the foil for an extended period in an annealing oven has been the method traditionally used to vaporize the rolling oils and other contaminants from the surface, but it can affect the structural properties of the material adversely. An alternative has been to use chemicals to remove the oils from the surface. These processes entail considerable logistical burdens, use a lot of energy, are capital intensive and are environmentally costly. An in-line array of Openair® plasma jets completely removes the contaminants at fast line speeds and at a fraction of the cost.
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Openair® plasma cleans aluminum foil better and more economically than traditional methods. |
Other cleaning applications
Nearly all surfaces can be cleaned using Openair® plasma. Glass can be cleaned efficiently for demanding optical applications. It is also being used for preparing surfaces before coating, textile flocking, application of tapes and two-shot-injection molding.
The benefits of Openair® plasma
The benefits of using Openair® plasma as a method of cleaning and activating surfaces are many. The process is faster and more reliable than using wipes or solvent. Costs are lower. And the use of solvents that are harmful to the environment and to the operators can be avoided entirely.
We are specialists in Openair® plasma and can improve the cleaning and surface activation
applications in your specific industry. Contact us to learn more. |
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