Plastics are changing. Monomaterial concepts, new material formulations, and the increasing use of recycled materials present new challenges for manufacturers and processors. At the same time, the demands on subsequent processes such as bonding, coating, printing, potting, or functionalization are rising. This raises the question for process engineers and process developers: How can reproducible surface properties be created to ensure stable and reliable further processing?
In this PlasmaTalk, Erhard Krampe, Manager for Technology Transfer and Knowledge Exchange, demonstrates how plasma interacts with plastic surfaces and what opportunities arise through cleaning, activation, and functionalization. The focus is on typical challenges in plastics processing as well as the integration of plasma-based surface treatment into existing manufacturing processes.
In addition, Erhard Krampe classifies different plasma processes—such as Openair-Plasma® and AURORA-Plasma—based on their respective applications and integration possibilities. If targeted surface functionalization is also required, the presentation provides insight into the capabilities of PlasmaPlus®.
Practical examples from medical technology, the automotive sector, profile manufacturing, and silicone processing demonstrate which applications are already being implemented and what potential plasma offers for various plastics processes.
What you’ll take away from this PlasmaTalk
- Which challenges related to plastic surfaces can be specifically addressed using plasma.
- How different plasma technologies interact with plastic surfaces and what effects this can have on subsequent processes.
- When cleaning, activation, or functionalization are appropriate for a given application.
- How plasma technologies can be integrated into injection molding, extrusion, and other plastics processing methods.
What possibilities current applications in medical technology, the automotive industry, profile manufacturing, and silicone processing are already demonstrating.
Who is this PlasmaTalk intended for?
This PlasmaTalk is aimed at process engineers in plastics processing, process developers, injection molding and extrusion specialists, as well as bonding and coating engineers and other plastics experts from R&D and production.
